Broker Episode 26 Recap
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Mo Li received a phone call from Uncle Zha, who was questioning Zhou Xiaoshan’s decision to abandon his mission. Uncle Zha implied that Zhou Xiaoshan was giving up because of Qiu Jianing, despite being so close to living the life he wanted. Mo Li confronted Zhou Xiaoshan, reminding him this was his last mission, and Uncle Zha had promised him freedom. However, Zhou Xiaoshan asserted that a life without Qiu Jianing was not a life he desired.
Mo Li pressed, asking if he had forgotten about his mother, but Zhou Xiaoshan replied that he had already informed Uncle Zha he would do anything to stop the mission involving Qiu Jianing, even if it meant remaining under Uncle Zha's control. He explained that Qiu Jianing considered the project her life, and destroying it would be akin to destroying her. He simply could not bring himself to do it.
While asking Mo Li to slice some fruit, Zhou Xiaoshan discreetly opened his laptop and deleted all project-related data. Mo Li discovered his actions too late and was overcome with despair. Zhou Xiaoshan tried to console her, noting that she was luckier than him and had a chance to start fresh, warning her that if she continued down this path, his present would become her future.
Mo Li tearfully insisted that she started a new life because of him and wanted to follow him wherever he went. Zhou Xiaoshan, however, urged her to learn independence, stating that he would no longer be a part of her future.
When Mo Li questioned why he had saved her if he had no intention of taking responsibility for her, Zhou Xiaoshan confessed his regret, wishing he had never met her if saving her meant bringing her into their dark world. He mused that their lives might be less dignified than lab mice, whose short existence at least serves a purpose, while their own only brought chaos and evil to society.
Mo Li still had a photo of Qiu Jiaxin on her phone and offered to delete it if it meant they could leave together. Zhou Xiaoshan pointed out that she couldn't erase her friendship with Qiu Jiaxin, and Mo Li admitted that with their "dirty" past, she doubted they could truly become part of ordinary people's lives.
Meanwhile, Qiu Jianing’s mother spoke to her husband about Mo Li, finding her manipulative and expressing concern that she now owed Mo Li a significant favor. She implied that Mo Li's background made her unsuitable for their family. Mo Li, who overheard these remarks, left angrily, abandoning the fruit basket she had brought to visit Qiu Jianing's mother.
At the MMA gym, Mo Li, still reeling from Qiu Jianing’s mother’s comments, became enraged by some inappropriate remarks from male customers, which echoed the mother's disdain for people's "birth determined fate," and violently attacked one of them. Back at the company, Zhou Xiaoshan completed his resignation procedures and work handover. His colleagues were saddened by his departure, especially with Professor Wang hospitalized and the project at a critical juncture.
Mo Li was subsequently fired from the gym, and her boss initially refused to pay her, citing her prior agreement to work for free. Mo Li forcefully threatened him, prompting him to agree to transfer her salary the following day. Zhou Xiaoshan packed his belongings and left the company, with Qiu Jianing making no attempt to stop him, while his colleagues could only sigh.
Sun Lei expressed his concern to Qiu Jianing about Zhou Xiaoshan’s resignation, especially given President Huang’s existing skepticism towards their department. He suggested withholding the news from headquarters for now and affirmed his respect for Qiu Jianing, believing she could overcome any challenge. Mo Li visited Qiu Jiaxin to bid her farewell, explaining that Zhou Xiaoshan had resigned and they were returning to City A.
Qiu Jiaxin was reluctant to see her go and promised to visit her during her vacation. She expressed confusion about Zhou Xiaoshan's resignation, feeling that he was acting more heartbroken than Qiu Jianing, who had been dumped. Mo Li confessed to Qiu Jiaxin that she considered herself a bad person, but since meeting Qiu Jiaxin, she had been torn between being a villain and a hero.
She thanked Qiu Jiaxin for allowing her to experience a world she had never known. Their emotional farewell left Qiu Jiaxin feeling sentimental. Uncle Zha met with his son-in-law, Wenzhao, asking him to "teach Zhou Xiaoshan a lesson" for being disobedient. He also suggested Wenzhao should move on since his wife, Xiang Lan, had passed away years ago. Wenzhao refused, stating that Xiang Lan had not "returned" yet, and therefore he would not act against Zhou Xiaoshan.
Qin Bin, while preparing for a conference in City A, learned from Qiu Jiaxin (via phone call) about Zhou Xiaoshan's resignation and return to City A, which he found puzzling. Qin Bin then called Zhou Xiaoshan, demanding to meet at a bar and threatening to cause a scene at his office if he didn't show up. At the bar, Qin Bin confronted Zhou Xiaoshan, accusing him of sabotaging the project by resigning at a crucial time.
Qin Bin doubted Zhou Xiaoshan's claims of no longer having feelings for Qiu Jianing, stating he could feel Zhou Xiaoshan's love for her despite his words. Zhou Xiaoshan, with a heavy heart, told Qin Bin that if he and Qiu Jianing were ever to marry, he should remember to inform him. He explained that he left because he feared his presence would cause Qiu Jianing pain.
Later that evening, Qin Bin's daughter, Xiao Yu'er, expressed her wish to find her father during a meteor shower. She criticized adults for being overly pessimistic, always fearing negative consequences and thus never daring to act, suggesting that courage was necessary for hope and success. Qiu Jiaxin asked Qiu Jianing if she planned to see Zhou Xiaoshan and Mo Li off the next day, but Qiu Jianing declined, citing work commitments.
That night, Qiu Jianing stood gazing at Zhou Xiaoshan’s house, silently wishing him a safe journey. At the airport, Zhou Xiaoshan was surprised to see Mo Li, as he hadn't intended for her to accompany him. Mo Li explained that she could not live a normal life despite her best efforts. She recalled how she initially approached Qiu Jiaxin with ulterior motives but later developed a genuine friendship.
She also found value in her work, but ultimately realized her past was indelible, and people like Qiu Jianing’s mother would never truly accept her. She affirmed her decision to stay with him, even if it meant going to "hell," as he was her only reliable anchor. Zhou Xiaoshan expressed hope that she would not regret her choice. Qiu Jiaxin arrived to say a tearful goodbye to Mo Li, promising to visit.
Upon arriving at work, Qiu Jianing was informed that President Huang had arrived early and was waiting. President Huang questioned Zhou Xiaoshan’s resignation, implying it was due to his personal relationship with Qiu Jianing. Qiu Jianing admitted she hadn't handled her personal life perfectly but emphasized the team's professional dedication. President Huang also brought up Qiu Jianing's role in encouraging other workplace relationships.
Li Chunran and her partner Zhang Yu, along with other colleagues, stepped forward to assert that their relationships did not interfere with their work. Sun Lei also supported Qiu Jianing, highlighting the positive change in the lab's atmosphere since her arrival and publicly standing by her. President Huang acknowledged Qiu Jianing’s professionalism but advised her to reflect on the issues and, as a consequence, instructed her to halt preparations for the upcoming A City seminar.
