Broker Episode 19 Recap
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Zhou Xiaoshan covertly listened as his colleagues enthusiastically discussed a list of ten essential things couples should do together. He diligently noted them down, then sent an email containing the full list to Qiu Jianing, who couldn't help but laugh upon reading it. Zhou Xiaoshan playfully scolded her for laughing, reminding her of her promise. He confessed to her, admitting he didn't know what counted as romantic in dating but was willing to learn for her.
Qiu Jianing, in turn, told him that true love doesn't come from learning; being himself was enough. Meanwhile, Professor Wang informed Qiu Jianing that Li Chunran had submitted her resignation. Concerned, he asked Qiu Jianing to speak with her and try to persuade her to stay, as her departure would significantly impact their critical project. Qiu Jianing found Li Chunran, who explained she was tired and had decided to return to her hometown.
She felt the high price female researchers paid in the industry for uncertain success was too much, especially when her parents couldn't understand the value of Plan-O. Her parents only cared about their thirty-year-old daughter being alone in an unfamiliar city. Li Chunran also cited a humiliating blind date experience that made her question the meaning of her perseverance.
Qiu Jianing urged her to reconsider, but Li Chunran was resolute, stating her family had forced the decision, and if she couldn't excel in research, she would simply be a "well-behaved girl" back home. Colleagues were disheartened by Li Chunran's decision, pleading with her to stay at least until after the year-end bonus, or until Qiu Jianing returned from a meeting. Li Chunran maintained that her family needed her, as her father was unwell and her mother was aging.
Zhang Yu, observing her situation, remained outwardly distant, though Qiu Jianing and Zhou Xiaoshan believed he still hadn't truly confessed his feelings. Later that night, Zhang Yu sat in his car, watching the lights in Li Chunran's dorm. He eventually gathered the courage to call her. After a long silence, Li Chunran asked if he had dialed the wrong number.
He struggled to find words, only managing to ask if she was truly leaving, and eventually wished her a safe journey before hanging up in frustration, hitting his steering wheel, while Li Chunran watched his car drive away from her window. The next day, Qiu Jianing overheard colleagues discussing that Li Chunran was leaving that very afternoon and might be marrying the "jerk" from her previous disastrous blind date.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu rushed out and blocked Li Chunran's taxi. He pulled her out, frantically declaring his feelings by writing a chemical formula, "Mg + ZnSO4 = Zn + MgSO4," which humorously translates to "Your beauty steals my heart." Li Chunran initially dismissed it as another prank, but Zhang Yu adamantly insisted he was serious, urging her to marry him. He humorously questioned her past 101 unsuccessful blind dates, stating he was the only one left.
He accepted her self-deprecating remarks about her weight, appetite, and temper, countering them with affirmations of her inner beauty and his own good temper. The irate taxi driver demanded they decide whether they were leaving. Li Chunran, touched by Zhang Yu's sincerity, declared she was no longer leaving, much to the quiet satisfaction of Zhou Xiaoshan and Qiu Jianing who observed the scene. That evening, everyone celebrated Li Chunran and Zhang Yu's unexpected coupling.
Qiu Jianing's sister, Qiu Jiaxin, called to say she had forgotten her keys and intended to join the team dinner, bringing Mo Li along. At the dinner, during a game of truth or dare, the bottle landed on Zhou Xiaoshan. Li Chunran asked him if a female voice she heard in his dorm was his girlfriend, and if she worked at the lab. Zhou Xiaoshan confirmed both, sparking intense curiosity among their colleagues.
When the bottle landed on him again, he defiantly chose "truth" once more, then walked to Qiu Jianing, publicly announcing, "Qiu Jianing is my girlfriend." The room erupted in surprise and congratulations. Qiu Jianing, though initially flustered, felt a mix of awkwardness and sweetness, while Qiu Jiaxin was delighted. Mo Li, however, looked visibly upset.
Later, Zhou Xiaoshan confided in Qiu Jianing, expressing envy for Qin Bin, who could openly declare his affection for her due to his family background and career. Qiu Jianing reassured him that her liking him was his greatest advantage, making all those other factors irrelevant. Mo Li later confronted Zhou Xiaoshan in his dorm, demanding to know why he had publicly announced his relationship with Qiu Jianing, given his previous insistence on keeping it a secret to avoid suspicion.
Zhou Xiaoshan angrily silenced her, blaming her for drawing Qiu Jiaxin into their affairs and revealing her identity, which he believed led Qiu Jianing to suspect him. He revealed that the lab had changed the password for the highest authority, implying Qiu Jianing was already suspicious, and that the "failed formula analysis and the expired password" meant Qiu Jianing was now his only remaining option to achieve his mission. He stressed that any further complications between them would jeopardize everything.
Back at the office, colleagues gossiped about Zhou Xiaoshan and Qiu Jianing's relationship, noting how Zhou Xiaoshan had subtly tried to gain Qiu Jianing's attention in the lab. Zhou Xiaoshan, embracing the new public status, shared a link about office romance in their chat group, declaring there would be "a lot of PDAs." Professor Wang summoned Qiu Jianing, who expected a reprimand for their office romance.
To her surprise, Professor Wang expressed his full support, stating that love and marriage for scientists were often challenging, and finding a partner within the same field was a positive development. He was genuinely happy for her and for Li Chunran and Zhang Yu, believing that good relationships, managed well, could facilitate rather than hinder work. Zhu Zhu, however, was clearly unhappy about the news, demonstrating a marked shift in her attitude towards Zhou Xiaoshan.
When a colleague questioned her, she dismissed Qiu Jianing as "annoying." Undeterred, Zhou Xiaoshan called Qiu Jianing, happily confirming Professor Wang's approval. He asked her to keep her schedule free for a Saturday date, planning to watch a horror movie, one of the ten couple activities. He jokingly warned her against discussing work during their date, promising a "punishment" if she did.
Zhou Xiaoshan and Qiu Jianing continued to check off items from their couple's list, including walking hand-in-hand with eyes closed. During a movie outing, Qiu Jianing got lost after using the restroom. Zhou Xiaoshan, finding her, playfully teased her for her poor sense of direction.
He then earnestly instructed her that if they ever got separated in an unfamiliar place, she should always walk south, and he would come to find her, teaching her how to identify south using the sun or the growth patterns of trees.
Qiu Jianing shared that her favorite item on Zhou Xiaoshan's list was "watching fireworks," reminiscing about a cherished childhood memory of her parents setting off fireworks for her birthday, a memory that stood out despite her foggy recollections of other childhood events. Later, Qiu Jiaxin visited Qiu Jianing and was astonished to find her sister arranging flowers, a decidedly un-scientist-like activity. Qiu Jianing, with a shy smile, admitted Zhou Xiaoshan had inspired her.
She showed Qiu Jiaxin the list of ten couple activities, making Qiu Jiaxin realize that Zhou Xiaoshan was indeed her sister's "vanquisher." Qiu Jiaxin later shared details of Zhou Xiaoshan's romantic gestures and the list with Mo Li. Mo Li expressed her surprise at Qiu Jianing choosing Zhou Xiaoshan over Qin Bin, despite acknowledging Zhou Xiaoshan's considerate nature. Upon hearing about the list, Mo Li fell into a pensive silence and abruptly left, citing a class she had to attend.
Subsequently, Mo Li called Zhou Xiaoshan, informing him she had received a bonus and wanted to treat him to a meal. Zhou Xiaoshan agreed but suggested he bring Qiu Jianing along for a formal introduction. At the restaurant, Mo Li's expression visibly darkened upon seeing Qiu Jianing. After dinner, as they left, Mo Li naturally took Zhou Xiaoshan's hand, while Qiu Jianing, observing them, simply stated she had work at the lab and left.
