Broker Episode 18 Recap
> Broker Recap
Qin Bin diligently promoted the Plan-O project to the hospital's department chiefs, successfully securing signatures from most, thus nearing completion of the clinical trial collaboration. However, the parents of a young patient named Xiao Yu'er remained hesitant, concerned about the potential risks. Qin Bin visited Xiao Yu'er in his hospital room. The child revealed he had never met his father and that his mother, a busy company boss, rarely visited.
Qin Bin could only discuss the matter with the nanny, Auntie Cheng, who informed him that Xiao Yu'er's mother believed the clinical trial's risks were too high and questioned guarantees against side effects. Qin Bin insisted on a direct conversation, assuring Auntie Cheng that he would also bring the project supervisor to address any concerns in person. Qin Bin eventually met Xiao Yu'er’s mother, Xu Qianya, who expressed deep concern over the high risk for her five-year-old son.
Qin Bin empathetically explained that the experimental treatment aimed for a complete cure, unlike standard treatments, and recounted Xiao Yu'er's resilience during his painful daily treatments, emphasizing the child's need for hope. He then offered to introduce her to the project leader, to whom she could directly ask questions. Xu Qianya agreed to reconsider. When Qin Bin arrived at the Plan-O laboratory as the hospital's liaison for the clinical trials, Qiu Jianing was surprised to see him.
Professor Wang assigned both Qiu Jianing and Qin Bin to oversee the upcoming clinical trials. In Qiu Jianing’s office, Qin Bin directly asked why her relationship with Zhou Xiaoshan was not public. Qiu Jianing explained that they had mutually decided to keep it private, stating there was no need for a public announcement. Qin Bin playfully remarked that if she were his girlfriend, he would announce it to the world.
Qin Bin invited Qiu Jianing to lunch, which prompted Li Chunran to gossip with Zhou Xiaoshan about Qiu Jianing and Qin Bin, wondering if they were rekindling their relationship. Zhou Xiaoshan gave evasive answers. Later, when Qin Bin offered to treat everyone to coffee, a visibly annoyed Zhou Xiaoshan tried to pull Qiu Jianing away to review a report.
Qin Bin, however, countered that he was openly pursuing Qiu Jianing, contrasting it with Zhou Xiaoshan's "underground relationship," and Qiu Jianing left with Qin Bin. During their meal, Qin Bin shared Xiao Yu'er's case with Qiu Jianing, and although he sought a guarantee for the child’s recovery, Qiu Jianing, respecting her role as a doctor, could only promise her utmost effort, not a 100% cure. After their meal, Qin Bin took Qiu Jianing to meet Xiao Yu'er's mother.
To Qiu Jianing's astonishment, it was Xu Qianya. Qiu Jianing handed Xu Qianya the project documents, urging her to review them. She assured Xu Qianya that their friendship would remain unaffected regardless of her decision and, respecting her privacy, refrained from asking about Xiao Yu'er's personal situation, though she offered help if needed. Meanwhile, Qiu Jiaxin found Qin Bin's modesty foolish, as he didn't take credit for facilitating the Plan-O collaboration.
She also wasn't surprised that Qiu Jianing's colleagues were unaware of her relationship with Zhou Xiaoshan, explaining that her sister's nature was to keep personal struggles to herself to avoid bothering others or eliciting pity. Qin Bin, however, found Zhou Xiaoshan's silence strange, especially when he himself was openly pursuing Qiu Jianing, deeming it a matter of "man's dignity" that Zhou Xiaoshan should have asserted his claim. Mo Li met with Qiu Jiaxin, who inquired about Zhou Xiaoshan's past girlfriends.
Mo Li quickly assured her it was "something from a long time ago" and that Zhou Xiaoshan was serious about Qiu Jianing, becoming visibly anxious. Qiu Jiaxin, noticing Mo Li's punk style, playfully tried to transform her look with feminine clothes, much to Mo Li's discomfort, and she refused to buy anything. Qiu Jiaxin, however, splurged on several outfits. Her mother called shortly after, chiding her for her spending habits before ultimately giving in.
Later, Mo Li stared wistfully at a pink cat doll in a shop window, denying her fondness for it despite her clear fascination. She expressed envy for Qiu Jiaxin's protected upbringing, saying she hadn't experienced "bad things." Mo Li later informed Zhou Xiaoshan via phone that Qiu Jiaxin had indeed questioned her, but hadn't suspected anything related to their "mission," merely worried about Qiu Jianing. Qiu Jianing visited Zhou Xiaoshan at his home.
After she entered, he hugged her playfully, complaining about a sore waist. Qiu Jianing then asked if he had been in a specific place in City A six years prior, explaining that a sudden moment with him had evoked a familiar feeling from when she was once contemplating taking her own life and a man had told her, "If you're not even scared of death, then you shouldn't be afraid of living."
Zhou Xiaoshan admitted he was that man but then burst out laughing, revealing he had been teasing her, which annoyed Qiu Jianing. Shortly after, Xu Qianya called, informing Qiu Jianing that she had decided to let Xiao Yu'er participate in the experiment. Qiu Jianing then explained to Zhou Xiaoshan about her outing with Qin Bin to find the sixth patient, revealing it was Xu Qianya’s son.
Zhou Xiaoshan was surprised that Xu Qianya had a child, as Qiu Jianing had never mentioned it. Qiu Jianing implied her stance on not prying into friends' private lives, and Zhou Xiaoshan, confident in her, expressed no concerns about her frequent interactions with Qin Bin on the project. After Qiu Jianing returned home, Qiu Jiaxin confronted her, accusing Zhou Xiaoshan of hypocrisy, comparing his past public relationship to his current secret one with Qiu Jianing.
Qiu Jianing, however, dismissed these concerns, stating she preferred a private relationship and that mutual respect and trust were paramount. She then informed Qiu Jiaxin about Xu Qianya having a son, emphasizing that in a mature relationship, one doesn't need to know every detail about the other. Later, Qin Bin asked Qiu Jiaxin if she knew anything else about Zhou Xiaoshan. After a pause, Qiu Jiaxin vaguely stated that his past was "really complicated."
Qin Bin immediately went to the laboratory to confront Zhou Xiaoshan, warning him not to hurt Qiu Jianing, questioning his "disgraceful" past, and criticizing his reluctance to publicly acknowledge their relationship. Meanwhile, Li Chunran's difficult blind date, Mr. He, reappeared and caused a scene at the lab, demanding Li Chunran pay him back for the water she had splashed on him and intending to return the favor publicly.
When he tried to splash her, Qiu Jianing quickly intervened, splashing him first. Qin Bin and Zhou Xiaoshan rushed to protect Qiu Jianing, and the embarrassed Mr. He left. Li Chunran received a distraught phone call from her mother, who demanded she apologize to Mr. He and, together with her father, insisted she resign and return home, leaving Li Chunran deeply upset. Zhang Yu tried to comfort Li Chunran, assuring her he didn't look down on her.
Zhou Xiaoshan later asked Qiu Jianing if she felt wronged by Qin Bin's visit, implying that many people might not support their relationship. Qiu Jianing asserted her independence and choices, stating she didn't care about others' opinions and preferred their relationship to remain private. In the car ride home, Li Chunran cried, feeling like she had nothing at thirty years old. Back at the lab, Zhou Xiaoshan discovered that the system's password had been changed.
He called Uncle Zha, informing him about the new obstacle and the failed formula analysis. Uncle Zha, however, reiterated his urgent demand: Zhou Xiaoshan must obtain the formula before the patent application proceeds.
