Broker Episode 25 Recap
> Broker Recap
The group enthusiastically encouraged Qiu Jianing and Zhou Xiaoshan to drink together. While Qiu Jianing initially tried to avoid it, she eventually stood up and took a drink, only for Zhou Xiaoshan to drink an even larger amount. Under the planned instigation of their colleagues, Zhou Xiaoshan became heavily intoxicated. Li Chunran then announced that a room had been booked for him upstairs and asked Qiu Jianing and another colleague to escort him to it.
After Qiu Jianing and her colleague brought Zhou Xiaoshan to his room, her colleague left to get some sobering medicine from the front desk. As Qiu Jianing tended to the intoxicated Zhou Xiaoshan, he suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. In his drunken state, Zhou Xiaoshan believed he was dreaming, confessing that he couldn't forget Qiu Jianing, truly couldn't forget her.
He spoke of how, in his youth, he could easily suppress and forget anything difficult, but this time, he had failed; he couldn't forget her. He wished the dream would last longer and that he wouldn't wake up. His heartfelt confessions broke through Qiu Jianing's emotional defenses once more. She stopped resisting, instead embracing Zhou Xiaoshan through her tears.
Qiu Jianing fell asleep in his arms, and when Zhou Xiaoshan briefly stirred, he gently stroked her head before falling back to sleep, maintaining their embrace. The following morning, Qiu Jianing awoke and stared at the sleeping Zhou Xiaoshan for a moment before taking her bag and leaving. Unknown to her, Zhou Xiaoshan had already woken up.
Later at work, their colleagues, including Xiaoxiao and Li Chunran, assumed that Qiu Jianing and Zhou Xiaoshan had finally reconciled, expecting them to be shy. However, both Qiu Jianing and Zhou Xiaoshan returned to the office looking rather grim. Qiu Jianing then received a phone call from Mrs. Wang, informing her that Professor Wang had suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Qiu Jianing immediately left for the hospital.
There, she learned Professor Wang had been saved but remained in a groggy and confused state due to a hemorrhagic cerebral stroke. Mrs. Wang tearfully recounted that Professor Wang had collapsed shortly after standing up, having pushed himself too hard despite her pleas to rest.
Qin Bin explained to Qiu Jianing that while Professor Wang had been saved, such a stroke carried a high risk of death, and survivors often suffered lasting side effects like immobility, speech impairment, or difficulty swallowing. Qiu Jianing instructed Sun Lei to return to the lab to inform their colleagues and to take Mrs. Wang home to rest, which Mrs. Wang reluctantly agreed to after much persuasion.
Qin Bin assured Qiu Jianing that the hospital would do its best for Professor Wang. Meanwhile, Qiu Jiaxin insisted that Mo Li join her for dinner at her home. Mo Li was hesitant, still uncomfortable about her past actions and a previous encounter with Qiu Jiaxin's mother. Qiu Jiaxin, however, had come to understand Mo Li better, realizing that Mo Li's pursuit of Zhou Xiaoshan must have been very difficult.
She forgave Mo Li's initial ulterior motives, adding that with Zhou Xiaoshan and Qiu Jianing having broken up, their friendship was now much simpler. Back at the lab, the team faced mounting challenges. Colleagues discussed that one of their usual synthesis techniques, involving an in-process product called Compound No.7, had been patented by someone else, making their work much harder. They also realized this patent was owned by Qiu Jianing's former employer, Harry, suggesting it might be targeting Jianing.
President Huang then arrived, specifically asking to see Qiu Jianing and Sun Lei, concerned about Professor Wang's coma and the patent application being rejected. Qiu Jianing explained that one of their established technological processes, Compound No.7, had already been patented by someone else, but she assured President Huang that they were already developing a new synthesis technique and would have it ready before the Scientific Conference in City A.
President Huang expressed relief and pledged the company's full support for the project's speedy advancement. At home, Qiu Jiaxin’s mother asked about her recent meeting with a man named Xiaoye. When Qiu Jiaxin replied it went "okay," her mother immediately began discussing booking a hotel for their wedding, leaving Qiu Jiaxin speechless, as she couldn't even recall what Xiaoye looked like.
Mo Li suggested Qiu Jiaxin should fight for her own love, but Qiu Jiaxin, reflecting on her unrequited feelings for her mentor, decided it was time to move on. She shared a blurry picture of her favorite e-sports idol with Mo Li, unaware that this "cold-faced killer of the canyon" was, in fact, Jiang Xiaoye. Jiang Xiaoye, it turned out, intentionally kept his online photos blurry to avoid being recognized in public.
Shortly after, Qiu Jiaxin’s mother sent her out to buy rock sugar, stating she wanted to make a dessert for Mo Li. After sending Qiu Jiaxin out, her mother had a pointed conversation with Mo Li. She probed Mo Li about her education and family background, discovering Mo Li had not attended university and her parents had passed away young.
Qiu Jiaxin’s mother then subtly hinted at the differences in their family backgrounds, expressing concern that her kind-hearted daughter might be easily deceived. She even opened Qiu Jiaxin’s wardrobe, offering Mo Li clothes and bags, which Mo Li politely refused. The conversation culminated with Qiu Jiaxin’s mother suggesting that Mo Li and Qiu Jiaxin should keep their distance, implying their friendship wouldn't last if they were always together and explicitly asking Mo Li not to disturb them in the future.
Mo Li, understanding the implication, agreed. However, just as Qiu Jiaxin's mother stood up, she suddenly fainted. Mo Li quickly called an ambulance (120) and, going to her room, discovered blood pressure medication in her bedside cabinet. At the hospital, a worried Qiu Jiaxin thanked Mo Li profusely, realizing the severity of the situation if Mo Li hadn't been there. Qiu Jiaxin's mother then said she would repay Mo Li, but Mo Li declined and left quickly.
Sun Lei expressed his concern to Qiu Jianing, believing she had been too impulsive with President Huang. He explained that the team was pessimistic about developing a new synthesis technique quickly and that they were physically and mentally exhausted. He also worried that Qiu Jianing was putting too much stress on herself and might be using work to numb her personal pain.
Qiu Jianing dismissed his concerns, affirming she was fine and not avoiding her emotional struggles but facing them head-on, aiming to become a "new Qiu Jianing" in twenty-eight days. She then decided to visit Professor Wang, and Zhou Xiaoshan joined her. At the hospital, Mrs. Wang confided in Qiu Jianing and Zhou Xiaoshan that Professor Wang should have retired twenty years ago, but his dedication to Plan-O, which began as a mere hypothesis, kept him working.
She explained that for Professor Wang, Plan-O was not just a project but a deep personal mission, driven by his belief that Chinese scientific research was not inferior to the West and that it was China’s time to show its results. With him now incapacitated, she tearfully entrusted the project to Qiu Jianing as Professor Wang's lifelong wish. Zhou Xiaoshan then questioned if such intense dedication to a project was truly worth it.
Qiu Jianing responded that their efforts could change the fate of individuals and humanity, and she would give her all to ensure the project's success. When Zhou Xiaoshan pressed, asking what if something went wrong, Qiu Jianing firmly declared there would be no accidents; she would protect Plan-O with her life.
She stated that Plan-O was her everything, her faith, helping her overcome her life's rock bottom, and representing national pride and mission for Chinese scientists, making personal gains and losses insignificant. After this conversation, Zhou Xiaoshan called Uncle Zha and informed him of his decision to withdraw from the mission. Uncle Zha was furious and immediately instructed his colleague to contact Mo Li, asking her to use all means necessary to stop Zhou Xiaoshan.
Later, Qiu Jianing called Zhou Xiaoshan to meet her, confronting him about a resignation letter he had sent to her inbox. He confirmed it was his, stating that their working relationship was no longer suitable. He explained that her "nobility" and high-minded commitment to Plan-O made him feel narrow-minded and that he could not work under such "moral coercion." He declared he had simply had enough.
Qiu Jianing, in disbelief, pleaded with him not to leave, highlighting Professor Wang's unconscious state and the lab's urgent need for personnel. However, Zhou Xiaoshan reiterated that he couldn't be like her, willing to sacrifice everything for work, and firmly refused her plea.
