Recaps

Lin Luoran joined Su Can, Wang Weiwei, and their friends at a gathering, bringing gifts for everyone except Su Can and teasing him about it. After Tao Chuhong arrived and greeted Wang Weiwei, Su Can inspected Tao’s Ferrari before rejoining the group, who went up to the hotel’s Fifth Floor leisure lounge.

• Lin Luoran handed out gifts to Lin Zouwen, Wang Weiwei, Zhuang Zhiyu, and Zhang Xian, then told Su Can she had found nothing suitable for him.
• Tao Chuhong arrived and greeted Wang Weiwei, pressing him to have a drink after he had turned down earlier invitations.
• Su Can went outside to watch a valet park Tao Chuhong’s Ferrari 360, then returned after Lin Zouwen called him.
• Lin Luoran teased Su Can in the elevator, and Su Can answered with a joke that made the others laugh.
• Su Can, Lin Luoran, Wang Weiwei, and their companions entered the Fifth Floor leisure lounge, where about thirty guests had gathered.

At a crowded Rongcheng gathering, Su Can drew attention through his friendship with Wang Weiwei and challenged Tao Chuhong to a dice-and-drinking contest. Tao lost, finished two beers, and threw a case out the window, where it crashed into a Ferrari 360 Modena.

• Lu Peng greeted Su Can, and the guests learned about Su Can's reputation and his connection to Wang Weiwei.
• Tao Chuhong hinted that he had spent time alone with Lin Luoran, but Lin Zouwen clarified that they had traveled with a group.
• Tao Chuhong and Lin Zouwen began a dice-and-drinking contest, and Su Can stepped in to challenge Tao to a higher-stakes round.
• Su Can added a rule that the loser had to drink two beers and throw the empty bottles out the window within a minute; Tao accepted and lost the dice roll.
• Tao drank both beers and hurled the case out the window, smashing it into a Ferrari 360 Modena below.

Su Can revealed that Tao Chuhong had smashed the car belonging to Su Can’s eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming, and baited Tao Chuhong into throwing a crate of beer bottles onto his own car. As Tao Chuhong stormed off after Lin Luoran punched him, he left with his friends, furious and humiliated.

• After a crate of beer Tao Chuhong threw from the fifth floor smashed a car, he blamed Su Can for the idea.
• Su Can asked Tao Chuhong whether he had smashed Zeng Qu anming’s car at the Ginkgo Hotel, then revealed that Zeng Qu anming was his eldest uncle.
• Tao Chuhong mocked Su Can and challenged him to smash his car, but Su Can said Tao Chuhong had beaten him to it.
• Hotel staff told Tao Chuhong that the wrecked car was his own, and he realized Su Can had maneuvered him into destroying it.
• Tao Chuhong threatened Su Can, and Lin Luoran punched him before Wang Qiqi and Lin Zouwen stepped in to protect her.
• Tao Chuhong left with his cronies, while Su Can and his friends watched the convoy drive away.

After the confrontation with Tao Chuhong, Su Can discussed the incident with Wang Weiwei, Lin Zouwen, and Lin Luoran outside Rongcheng Garden, then urged Wang Weiwei to help expose the Development and Planning Commission case. Lin Luoran gave Su Can a Christmas present, and he split the chocolate with her before leaving.

• Su Can thanked Wang Weiwei and Lin Zouwen for backing him, while Lin Luoran insisted she had acted because Tao Chuhong annoyed her.
• Su Can explained that he had planned to smash Tao Chuhong's Ferrari regardless of the dice result, and Lin Zouwen praised his decisiveness.
• Wang Weiwei warned that Tao Chuhong would not let the humiliation go, and Su Can said they needed to bring the Development and Planning Commission case into the open.
• After Wang Weiwei and Lin Zouwen left, Lin Luoran asked Su Can about his promised Christmas present and gave him a box of chocolate.
• Su Can broke the chocolate in half and gave one half to Lin Luoran, who pocketed it as he left in a taxi.

During Spring Festival, Su Can’s family gathered at Zeng Na’s home, where rumors about his clash with Tao Chuhong made Zou Xiaoqiang wary of him. In a private discussion, Zeng Qu anming explained how Wang Bu’s interpretation of government meeting minutes undermined Tao Changping’s position and blocked Nanning Group’s Fuhe project, while Su Can wondered how much his father understood about his hidden involvement.

• Su Can helped Zeng Ke and Zeng Na prepare for the family’s lively Spring Festival gathering at Zeng Na’s apartment.
• Zou Xiaoqiang heard that Zeng Yuan’s cousin was Su Can, recognized the name from rumors about the incident at No. 19 Guojin Road, and hurried away.
• Zeng Qu anming and Su Licheng discussed the coming trial and how Wang Bu had ruled that Tao Changping’s approval could not justify the Fuhe Road work.
• Zeng Qu anming reprimanded Su Can for getting involved and smashing a car, while Su Can insisted Tao Chuhong had caused the damage himself.
• Zeng Qu anming explained that Minute No. 178 undermined Tao Changping’s defense and prevented Nanning Group’s expansion into Fuhe District.
• Su Licheng suggested Wang Bu was acting to apply political pressure, and Su Can privately wondered how much his father knew and accepted.

At a New Year's Eve dinner, Su Can urged his father, Su Licheng, to narrow Big Banyan Construction's focus to real estate, prompting Su Licheng to consider the human cost of restructuring. Watching fireworks afterward, Su Can realized his advice could repeat the painful fate of Engineering Division Four and wondered whether he was doing the right thing.

• Zeng Qu anming discussed Big Banyan Construction's sprawling business and the challenges facing Su Licheng as its general manager.
• Su Can advised Su Licheng to cut peripheral businesses and concentrate Big Banyan Construction's resources on real estate.
• Su Licheng warned that the strategy would displace businesses and affect many employees, and Su Can argued that adapting to the market could protect them.
• Su Licheng acknowledged that Su Can had grown up.
• Su Can realized that restructuring could harm Engineering Division Four and families including those of Xue Yiyang and Liu Rui, then questioned his choices as fireworks filled the sky.
• Tang Wu sent Su Can a New Year's greeting, and Su Can replied before shedding tears.

On New Year’s Day, Su Can climbed Qingshan with his family while discussing Dunhuang’s new store and charity projects with Wang Yue. On the mountain, Tao Changping and Tao Chuhong encountered Zeng Qu anming’s group but chose to leave rather than meet them, and the story ended with officials wondering what the encounter would mean.

• Su Can received Wang Yue’s call about signing the proposal for Dunhuang’s second Rongcheng store and attending its charity events, but he told her to represent him.
• Su Can’s family climbed Qingshan, where Zeng Qu anming and Su Licheng accepted Director Wang’s invitation to rest at Suqing Courtyard.
• Tao Changping and Tao Chuhong arrived at the tea garden while discussing the Nanning Group’s proposed investment in Sichuan Airlines.
• After learning Zeng Qu anming and Director Wang were inside, Tao Changping turned away without meeting them.
• A deputy secretary-general later told Zeng Qu anming’s group that Tao Changping had left the mountain, prompting speculation about the significance of his avoidance.

During a hike with Zeng Na and Zhao Xiaolu, Su Can met their friends Chen Kefan, Ning Jiaojiao, and Yue Min, who planned to go out together. When Chen Kefan learned Su Can’s identity, he recognized him as the man who had outmaneuvered Tao Chuhong, and the group’s attitude toward him changed.

• Zhao Xiaolu reflected on her close friendship with Zeng Na and became curious about Su Can and his clash with Tao Chuhong.
• After the hike, Chen Kefan, Ning Jiaojiao, and Yue Min arrived to take Zeng Na and Zhao Xiaolu out for the evening.
• Chen Kefan flaunted his allowance and his friendship with the son of the National Security Bureau director, while Ning Jiaojiao showed interest in Su Can.
• Ning Jiaojiao invited Su Can to ride with them, but he introduced himself and declined, telling Zeng Na to come home early.
• Chen Kefan recognized Su Can’s name and realized he was the person who had made Tao Chuhong suffer; he quickly softened his manner and tried to arrange a future meeting.
• Su Can remained detached, and Ning Jiaojiao regretted that they had not persuaded him to join them.

Su Can worried that Facebook cofounder Zack was pursuing an undisclosed plan and reflected on the uncertainty of the company’s future. After Tang Wu helped him regain his resolve, Zhan Hua’s manager called with news that Zack had accepted another venture capital firm’s proposal, prompting Zhan Hua to summon Su Can to the United States.

• Su Can declined Chen Kefan’s invitation and worried that Tao Changping’s restraint might conceal plans to undermine his family’s position in Rongcheng.
• Su Can found Zack’s message about entering a contest and challenged him to explain his intentions instead of offering a surprise.
• Su Can considered the risks of seeking Zhan Hua’s proposed investment of sixteen million for a five-percent stake in Facebook.
• Tang Wu encouraged Su Can to act without knowing what would happen, and he teased her over the phone before she refused his requests.
• Zhan Hua’s manager told Su Can that Zack had accepted another venture capital firm’s proposal and urged him to travel to the United States as soon as possible.

Su Can flew from Shanghai to San Francisco to handle trouble with his American website partner and met Song Zhen on the plane. After refusing a man’s attempt to buy his seat, Su Can spoke with Song Zhen, who saw through his remark about the view.

• Su Can left Rongcheng for the United States, while Su Licheng helped arrange his passport and Zeng Ke reluctantly watched him go.
• At Pudong Airport, Su Can noticed Song Zhen and mistook her companion’s approach for harassment before realizing they knew each other.
• The companion offered Su Can Ray-Ban sunglasses to trade seats, but Su Can refused and stayed beside Song Zhen.
• After the plane took off, Song Zhen thanked Su Can and pointed out that he had seemed to value her looks over the sunglasses.

Su Can met Song Zhen during his flight to San Francisco, where their conversation and growing familiarity caught Liu Ming’s attention. After Song Zhen gave Su Can her contact information at the airport, she learned he had not been traveling alone after all, as Mark Zuckerberg and Michael Wolf came to greet him.

• Su Can introduced himself to Song Zhen, who explained that Liu Ming was the son of an engineer at her family’s company and said Liu was not a bad person despite being annoying.
• Song Zhen asked Su Can about his trip to the United States, and they said farewell after landing in San Francisco.
• Song Zhen woke with her head on Su Can’s shoulder, prompting Liu Ming to stare in dismay.
• Song Zhen’s Uncle Wang and two bodyguards met her at the airport, and she gave Su Can her contact information before he left.
• Song Zhen teased Su Can about traveling alone, but Mark Zuckerberg called out to him as Michael Wolf and his bodyguards arrived to welcome him.

Su Can and Mark Zuckerberg reunited with Michael Wolfe at San Francisco airport and flew with him to New York State aboard Viacom’s Gulfstream V. In the air, Michael presented two proposals for Viacom to invest in or acquire Facebook, leaving Su Can and Zack to consider the company’s future.

• Zack introduced Su Can to Michael Wolfe, who invited them to travel to New York State on Viacom’s private jet.
• Su Can boarded the Gulfstream V with Zack and Michael while Song Zhen and Liu Ming watched from the airport.
• Aboard the jet, Michael praised its luxury and tried to impress the young Facebook founders with the prospect of owning a similar plane.
• Michael offered to buy ten percent of Facebook for twenty million dollars or acquire the company for up to one and a half billion dollars under specified terms.
• Su Can and Zack listened to Michael’s proposals as Viacom executives awaited news of the meeting at headquarters.

Su Can and Zack rejected Viacom's $1.5 billion offer to buy Facebook and chose to discuss a $20 million investment instead. Michael Wolfe left without the result Viacom wanted as Su Can and Zack reunited with Zack's parents in Westchester.

• Michael Wolfe offered Su Can and Zack $1.5 billion for Facebook aboard Viacom's Gulfstream V.
• Su Can asked Zack what he thought, and Zack revealed that he valued the venture and its ideals more than the acquisition money.
• Michael Wolfe imposed a three-hour deadline and left Su Can and Zack to discuss the proposal.
• Su Can and Zack told Michael Wolfe they would not sell Facebook and wanted to discuss the $20 million investment.
• The Gulfstream V landed in Westchester, and Michael Wolfe canceled the planned media interview after Viacom's acquisition attempt failed.
• Su Can and Zack met Zack's parents near the private terminal while Michael Wolfe watched from his limousine.

Su Can joined Zack at Facebook’s Palo Alto headquarters, helped the team resolve proposals, and signed a shareholder confirmation before they pursued financing. After days of investor offers and lavish events, a yacht meeting with SUN founder Mike ended with Zack asking whether anything was priceless.

• Su Can rejected Facebook’s history-viewing feature over privacy concerns, approved its status feature, and won the employees’ respect by clearing the black box proposals.
• Su Can signed documents confirming that he and Mark Zuckerberg held 45 percent and 55 percent of Facebook’s authorized ten million shares, respectively.
• Katherine made a drunken pass at Su Can during the team’s party, but he declined her advances.
• Su Can and Zack attended investor meetings and banquets as Facebook sought funding, while companies tried to buy the startup or win its founders over.
• SUN founder Mike invited Su Can and Zack onto his yacht and served them koala meat, which Zack later vomited up beside the highway.
• Zack asked Su Can whether anything was priceless, and Su Can said some things were worth cherishing before they broke.

While Su Can was away in the United States, his friends gathered in Rongcheng and Zhang Feifei explained that she would only consider a wealthy partner. In Palo Alto, Su Can confronted Sean Parker over Zhan Hua’s effort to steer Facebook toward the Red Leaf Fund, and he refused to accept the proposed twenty-million-dollar investment for ten percent.

• Su Can’s friends gathered at Soho in Rongcheng and complained that he had disappeared, while Zhuang Zhiyu encouraged Xue Yiyang to approach Zhang Feifei.
• Zhang Feifei said she wanted a partner with substantial wealth and asked whether Xue Yiyang had ten million.
• Zack introduced Sean Parker to Su Can and said Sean had arranged a Red Leaf Fund offer of twenty million dollars for ten percent of Facebook.
• Sean argued that Viacom’s offer was bait for an acquisition and urged Su Can to accept the Red Leaf Fund’s terms.
• Su Can accused Sean and Zhan Hua of bypassing him and using him to keep Zack from other investors, then insisted on his earlier proposal of sixteen million dollars for five percent.
• Sean said he would pass Su Can’s position along and left after wishing him luck.

As Facebook’s rising valuation draws more investors, Su Can begins attending selected meetings with Zack while facing doubt from the company’s core team. At a Fairmont Hotel reception hosted by Donald Graham, Song Zhen clashes with Lucy and is rebuked by her aunt Diana before unexpectedly encountering Su Can.

• Venture capitalists and corporations compete more intensely to invest in Facebook as its valuation rises.
• Su Can attends selected gatherings with Zack, though Sean doubts his efforts and undermines him afterward.
• Song Zhen arrives at the Fairmont Hotel reception and ends a call from Liu Ming.
• Lucy criticizes Song Zhen’s appearance and behavior, and Diana tells her not to embarrass the family.
• Su Can appears behind Song Zhen, questions her strained relationship with Diana, and catches her by surprise.

At The Washington Post Company’s gathering, Su Can explained to Zack why he favored steady financing over venture capital and why he intended to resist Zhan Hua’s influence over Facebook. Donald Graham introduced Su Can and Mark Zuckerberg as Facebook’s founders, and Song Zhen realized the young man she had met on the flight was one of them.

• Song Zhen politely declined to discuss her family with Su Can, then left for the gathering after remarking on his casual clothes.
• Zack asked Su Can about Tang Wu and questioned accepting The Washington Post Company’s invitation, and Su Can argued that its steady approach suited Facebook better than venture capital.
• Su Can reflected that Zhan Hua’s involvement with Sean Parker threatened his control of Facebook, while Zack considered the risks and agreed to try Su Can’s approach.
• Donald introduced Su Can and Mark Zuckerberg to the gathering as Facebook’s founders, drawing the attention of the assembled guests.
• Song Zhen recognized Su Can as a Facebook founder and realized that the young man she had met on their flight had helped create the popular social network.

Su Can and Mark Zuckerberg negotiated Facebook's first major investment with Donald of The Washington Post Company, while Song Zhen unexpectedly reconnected with Su Can at a gathering. Su Can accepted Donald's offer after asking Song Zhen for her opinion, leaving her realizing his intervention might change her life.

• Donald introduced Su Can and Mark Zuckerberg to business elites and explained Facebook's appeal to marketers and college students.
• Su Can offered Donald a five-percent stake in Facebook along with a seat on its five-member board, and Donald considered the proposal.
• Song Zhen accidentally dropped a glass, then greeted Su Can and offered to personally guide him around the United States.
• Donald offered thirteen million dollars for a five-percent stake in Facebook, subject to the company's rights being guaranteed.
• Su Can asked Song Zhen what she thought of Donald's offer, then accepted it after she said it seemed good.

Su Can and Zack accepted The Washington Post Company's $15.7 million investment, valuing Facebook at about $318 million. Zack was troubled because he had promised Sean Parker, so Su Can urged him to call Sean and make his own choice.

• Donald visited Facebook's Palo Alto apartment headquarters, listened to the founders' presentation, and impressed the employees with his interest in their plans.
• Su Can told Zack to put Facebook's growth and the team's interests ahead of his promise to Sean Parker and the Red Leaf Fund.
• At the Village Pub, Su Can negotiated with Donald, who agreed to invest $15.7 million in Facebook at a valuation of about $318 million.
• Su Can and Zack signed the agreement, but Zack later went to the restroom and cried because he felt guilty about breaking his word to Sean.
• Su Can sat with Zack and urged him to call Sean and ask what he thought, assuring Zack that he respected his choice.

Sean Parker advised Zack to accept The Washington Post Company's $16 million offer for a five-percent stake in Facebook, while Zhan Hua dismissed the deal as a bluff and continued waiting for the founders to seek his financing. Sean ended his attempt to secure Facebook and asked Zack to tell Su Can that he had lost.

• Zack told Sean that The Washington Post Company had offered $16 million for five percent of Facebook and asked what he should do.
• Sean called Zhan Hua, who insisted the offer was a smokescreen and told him to keep waiting for the founders to come to him.
• Zhan Hua told Minister Wang that capital would eventually make Su Can and Zack bow to him.
• Sean called Zack again and urged him to accept The Washington Post Company's investment so Facebook could keep growing.
• Sean wished Zack well and asked him to tell Su Can that Sean admitted he had lost.

After securing The Washington Post Company's sixteen-million-dollar investment in Facebook, Su Can prepared to return to China and met Song Zhen, who visited to thank him and share her personal history. Song Zhen hinted that she wanted to rebel against her family's expectations once more, while Su Can remained unsure what she had heard about him before their meeting.

• Su Can finalized Facebook's agreement with Donald and prepared to leave California after the company's fundraising victory.
• Song Zhen visited Su Can's residence, then invited him to walk with her near Stanford University and offered to guide him around America.
• Song Zhen explained that her relationship with her aunt had improved after the Fairmont Hotel incident and described her family's wealth and responsibilities.
• Song Zhen told Su Can about her year pursuing modeling in Paris, the friend she supported, and her return to China to prepare for the Gaokao.
• Song Zhen revealed that she had heard of Su Can before and said she wanted to rebel one last time, but kept secret when she first learned about him.

Su Can returned to China after Facebook secured a $16 million investment from The Washington Post Company, reflecting on how he and Zack still needed to learn and grow. At the airport in Rongcheng, he reunited with Tang Wu, explained the investment, and learned she had found out about his return by calling his home.

• Su Can left San Francisco as news spread that The Washington Post Company had invested $16 million in Facebook for a 5% stake.
• Before leaving, Su Can advised Zack to continue learning at Harvard, and reflected that both of them needed more business and management knowledge as Facebook grew.
• During the flight, Su Can wondered what Song Zhen had meant when she said she wanted to “rebel one more time.”
• At the Rongcheng airport, Su Can discovered Tang Wu was waiting for him and apologized for leaving for America without telling her.
• Su Can told Tang Wu that Facebook had raised $16 million from The Washington Post Company, and she realized how much effort he had put into the trip.
• Tang Wu said she had learned of Su Can’s return by calling his home, and he took her hand as they rode into the city.

After returning to Rongcheng, Su Can told Tang Wu about his success securing investment for Facebook and considered the danger posed by Zhan Hua after their conflict in America. As the holiday ended, Su Can and Tang Wu prepared to return to Nanjing University.

• Tang Wu met Su Can at the airport in a car driven by Uncle Yang and heard about his experiences and investment deal in America.
• Su Can wondered whether Song Zhen was related to Song Pengcheng, then concluded she was only a passing acquaintance he had met in California.
• At home, Zeng Ke questioned Su Can about America, his business, and his relationship with Tang Wu, while Su Licheng also wanted to hear about his trip.
• Su Can reflected that Zhan Hua might retaliate after losing their contest in America and resolved to act cautiously around him in Shanghai.
• Su Can spent the remaining Spring Festival holiday at home before preparing to return to Nanjing University with Tang Wu.

Su Can shared his economic analysis with Wang Bu over dinner, warning that infrastructure-led growth and unrestrained investment could create overcapacity and weaken domestic demand. Wang Bu considered Su Can’s suggestions for Rongcheng and asked him to guide and watch over Wang Weiwei.

• Wang Weiwei returned to Rongcheng and invited Su Can to dinner at his home, where Wang Bu prepared the meal.
• Wang Bu praised Su Can for standing up to Tao Chuhong and discussed Nanning Group’s land-deal tactics and the case involving Zeng Qu anming.
• Wang Bu asked Su Can to assess Rongcheng’s economic policies, and Su Can warned that excessive infrastructure construction and investment could fuel overcapacity and export dependence.
• Su Can recommended supporting industrial parks and manufacturing, regulating property prices, and expanding domestic demand, and Wang Bu said the proposals were worth considering.
• Wang Bu walked Su Can out and asked him to guide Wang Weiwei and keep an eye on him.

Wang Bu recognized Su Can as a positive influence on Wang Weiwei, while Tao Changping pressured Su Licheng and Big Banyan Construction over their projects and land. Wang Bu and Lin Guozhou then intervened on Su Can’s behalf, leaving Tao Changping furious and the Tao Family facing serious trouble.

• Wang Bu considered Su Can a role model who could guide Wang Weiwei and help strengthen their friendship.
• Tao Changping pressured Su Licheng over Big Banyan Construction’s projects and urged him to transfer land to Tongda Company, but Su Licheng refused.
• Su Can spoke with Lin Luoran, who said someone would quiet Tao Chuhong, as pressure on Tao Changping began to ease.
• Tao Changping accused Su Licheng of mobilizing people against him and angrily ended their call.
• Wang Weiwei told Su Can that Wang Bu and Lin Guozhou had called their contacts to protect Su Can and Big Banyan Construction.