Broker Episode 21 Recap
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Qiu Jiaxin found Mo Li in a downcast mood, needing to vent her frustrations. Both young women, heartbroken by love, discussed its bitter taste. Qiu Jiaxin expressed that while love in movies seemed sweet, her own experience was painful, especially when the person she cared for hurt her by trying to help others, making her feel her love was worthless. Mo Li agreed with this sentiment.
To cheer them up, Qiu Jiaxin suggested they go out for the best food in the world, which she revealed was her mother's cooking at her own home. Qiu's mother, who often felt bored alone, was delighted to see Qiu Jiaxin bring a friend home. During dinner, Qiu's mother doted on Mo Li, serving her food and encouraging her to eat.
Qiu Jiaxin and her mother engaged in their usual playful banter, much to Mo Li's amusement, who found herself smiling. Qiu's mother extended an open invitation for Mo Li to join them for meals anytime. Later, in Qiu Jiaxin's room, her mother brought them some fruit. Qiu Jiaxin complained about her mother's constant nagging, listing examples of her mother's worries about her sleep, eating habits, clothing, and spending.
Mo Li, however, confessed that she envied Qiu Jiaxin for having a mother, recalling that she lost her own parents at a young age and felt it would be the happiest thing to have them around. Qiu Jiaxin lovingly explained that she brought Mo Li home precisely to share her happiness. While Mo Li was in the bathroom, she received a phone call from Uncle Zha, who cryptically instructed her to follow his orders without question.
Meanwhile, Qiu's mother questioned Qiu Jiaxin about Mo Li's background, noting her young age for a coach and implying she might not be well-educated. Qiu's mother expressed concern that Mo Li might befriend Qiu Jiaxin to take advantage of her, given that Qiu Jiaxin was a doctor and from a wealthy family. These words, overheard by Mo Li, deeply affected her.
As she left, Mo Li reflected on Qiu's mother's words, realizing they were right about her hidden agenda, but she wasn't after money; she wanted Qiu Jianing's life. All her friendly feelings, she concluded, were fake. Feeling scorned, Mo Li vowed to become ruthless and trust only herself from that moment on. At a Research and Development Department meeting, Sun Lei announced that Xie Xiaoxiao would be transferred back from Administration to help with clinical trials.
Xiaoxiao, interpreting this as an act of pity, angrily confronted Sun Lei. She told him not to care for her anymore, as his concern only highlighted their incompatibility. Xiaoxiao questioned why he left her if she truly had so many strengths. She acknowledged her need for the job and her commitment to working hard, but made it clear she sought nothing more from him.
Sun Lei, hoping for a fresh start, pleaded with her to give them another chance, offering to take care of her. Xiaoxiao, however, recounted his past promises of eternal love and how she had believed him, only to be abandoned. She declared she had nothing left to lose and would not harbor any hopes. Later, Zhou Xiaoshan asked Qiu Jianing what kind of mistake she could never forgive, to which she replied she would need time to consider her answer.
Soon after, Qiu Jianing received an anonymous text message inviting her to meet if she wanted to know Zhou Xiaoshan's secret. Following the address to a dilapidated factory, she was confronted by Mo Li, who, without warning, knocked her unconscious. Zhou Xiaoshan then received an urgent phone call from Uncle Zha. He tried to brush off the call, but Uncle Zha, aware of his hesitation to break up with Qiu Jianing, questioned if Zhou Xiaoshan was afraid of alarming her.
Zhou Xiaoshan frantically asked what Uncle Zha was planning for Qiu Jianing before the call was cut off. Qiu Jianing awoke to find herself bound, with Mo Li holding a knife, threatening to end her life. Unfazed, Qiu Jianing pointed out that even if she were gone, Zhou Xiaoshan would never love Mo Li. She recognized Mo Li’s deep love for Zhou Xiaoshan but warned that such an act would only earn his everlasting hatred.
As Zhou Xiaoshan arrived, he furiously confronted Mo Li, who tried to prevent him from entering. He grabbed her by the neck, demanding to know if she had informed Uncle Zha about his relationship with Qiu Jianing. He expressed his disgust, telling her he never wanted to see such a "nasty side" of her again, reiterating that even without Qiu Jianing, they would never be together.
Uncle Zha called Zhou Xiaoshan again, asserting that the current situation provided a perfect excuse for him to break up with Qiu Jianing without raising suspicion. He accused Zhou Xiaoshan of falling in love with Qiu Jianing and reminded him of Xiang Lan, Uncle Zha's daughter, and the great sacrifice she made to save his life. Uncle Zha sternly warned Zhou Xiaoshan about the consequences of straying from the path and declared that Qiu Jianing's life was in his hands.
Under immense pressure and fearing for Qiu Jianing’s safety, Zhou Xiaoshan reluctantly promised Uncle Zha that he would break up with her. Mo Li then congratulated Zhou Xiaoshan on completing his mission and told him to report back to Uncle Zha. Zhou Xiaoshan brought the unconscious Qiu Jianing back to his home. Upon waking, Qiu Jianing, having overheard Mo Li's phone call with Uncle Zha, immediately wanted to call the police.
She believed Mo Li's actions were orchestrated by Uncle Zha, not just fueled by jealousy. Zhou Xiaoshan tried to dissuade her, but seeing her resolve, he ultimately decided to reveal the full truth. He took her to a prison museum, explaining that his previous confession had only been half the story. He revealed that Xiang Lan was Uncle Zha's daughter, a vibrant and beautiful young woman.
Initially, Uncle Zha disapproved of their relationship due to Zhou Xiaoshan's background but eventually relented because Xiang Lan threatened him with death. Their happiness was cut short when a classmate, obsessed with Xiang Lan, attempted to force himself upon her. In a fit of rage, Zhou Xiaoshan shot the assailant, nearly killing him. The classmate's powerful family sought retribution, and Zhou Xiaoshan faced certain death.
To save him, Xiang Lan selflessly offered to marry her assailant, on the sole condition that Zhou Xiaoshan would be spared. However, she could not endure such a life and ultimately took her own life. Qiu Jianing found the story tragic and absurd but acknowledged the world's darker facets. She then understood that Mo Li's deep hatred stemmed not only from jealousy but also from a profound sense of injustice towards Uncle Zha for losing his daughter.
Qiu Jianing told Zhou Xiaoshan that he should have shared this painful past with her earlier, assuring him she would have faced it with him. She expressed her belief that all pain could be healed and that Xiang Lan would have wanted them to live well, asserting that love itself was never wrong. Zhou Xiaoshan, however, turned away and broke up with her again.
He confessed that he had initially been drawn to her because she resembled Xiang Lan, but Mo Li's constant reminders had made him realize they were fundamentally different individuals. He tragically declared that he, Zhou Xiaoshan, would only ever love one person in his life: Xiang Lan. Heartbroken, Qiu Jianing, after thanking him for his honesty, turned and left.
Back home, a heartbroken Qiu Jianing was found crying on the sofa by Qiu Jiaxin, who was puzzled until she learned the reason. Enraged, Qiu Jiaxin immediately wanted to confront Zhou Xiaoshan. Qiu Jianing, however, stopped her, explaining that she could not control Zhou Xiaoshan's feelings, especially since he did not love her.
Qiu Jiaxin tried repeatedly to call Mo Li, but she didn't answer, so Qiu Jiaxin sent a message saying she would come to see her the next day. Mo Li, meanwhile, went to Zhou Xiaoshan's dormitory, unsure how to face Qiu Jiaxin. Zhou Xiaoshan coldly told her that Qiu Jiaxin's sincerity and kindness only made Mo Li appear more "evil" for betraying her trust.
He challenged Mo Li to choose between being a human with feelings or a robot, a choice Mo Li argued she had already made through her actions, which diminished any lingering affection Zhou Xiaoshan had for her. The following day, Qiu Jianing found Mo Li at the gym. Mo Li, still hostile, asked if Qiu Jianing was afraid of her or of reporting her to the police. Qiu Jianing calmly stated that prosecuting Mo Li was not the best punishment.
She acknowledged Mo Li's love for Zhou Xiaoshan, a love unrequited for many years, and how her own appearance complicated Mo Li’s situation. Mo Li retorted that Qiu Jianing was also a loser now that she had broken up with Zhou Xiaoshan. Qiu Jianing calmly disagreed, asserting that there were no winners or losers in love.
She urged Mo Li to stop her irrational behavior, offering to overlook past transgressions but firmly declaring that she would not tolerate any harm to Qiu Jiaxin. Mo Li admitted her internal struggle, having genuinely considered Qiu Jiaxin a friend, but still feeling hurt by Qiu's mother's disparaging remarks. Qiu Jianing directly asked if Mo Li's initial approach to Jiaxin wasn't motivated by a hidden agenda.
While Qiu Jianing promised not to reveal Mo Li's actions to Jiaxin, she sternly warned Mo Li not to let herself become completely worthless. Later, Qiu Jiaxin was annoyed to see Qin Bin pursuing another woman, leading her to criticize all men. She then revealed to him that Zhou Xiaoshan had dumped Qiu Jianing. Incensed, Qin Bin immediately rushed to Project Source to confront Zhou Xiaoshan.
Qiu Jiaxin quickly called Qiu Jianing to alert her that Qin Bin was heading to her office to seek revenge on Zhou Xiaoshan. When Qin Bin arrived at Project Source, he confronted Zhou Xiaoshan, demanding to know what had happened between him and Qiu Jianing, and accusing Zhou Xiaoshan of guilt.
