Broker Episode 38 Recap
> Broker Recap
Qiu Jiaxin decided to take a year to support the countryside, needing time to calm down and contemplate after realizing her immaturity during a previous argument with Qin Bin. She apologized for her impulsive and unreasonable request, acknowledging she had forgotten her medical oath. Qin Bin, understanding her need, respected her choice. Qiu Jiaxin later met Xiaoye to bid him farewell, explaining she was leaving for a while.
She expressed deep regret for how abruptly she ended their relationship, admitting she felt her life was a mess and she couldn't even discern her own feelings. Xiaoye suggested they play one last game at the internet café where their relationship began, after which they would go their separate ways. Qiu Jiaxin agreed. As Qiu Jiaxin packed her belongings, Qiu Jianing reminded her to bring essential medicines, a suggestion Qiu Jiaxin, a health professional, playfully dismissed.
Zhou Xiaoshan and Qin Bin arrived. Qin Bin scrutinizing Qiu Jiaxin's packing, questioning her choice of high heels, two boxes of Proya facial masks, and ripped jeans for a mountain environment. He warned her of arthritis from the cold. Qiu Jiaxin retorted that he was an "old man" who didn't understand fashion. Qiu Jianing suggested Qin Bin look for clothes upstairs, which led him to Qiu Jiaxin's room.
After some playful banter where Qin Bin flirted, Qiu Jiaxin pushed him out, threatening to expose his inappropriate behavior to Qiu Jianing and Zhou Xiaoshan. Qin Bin then became serious, urging her to take care of herself and promise to contact him daily, which she reluctantly did. Zhou Xiaoshan told Qiu Jianing he had booked his plane ticket and would leave next week.
He asked if she was afraid he wouldn't return, to which Qiu Jianing replied that if she loved him, she should let him go, and he would truly belong to her upon his return. Zhou Xiaoshan apologized, admitting he couldn't guarantee a return date this time, but Qiu Jianing assured him of her trust.
Qiu Jiaxin then bid farewell to her sister and parents, with Qin Bin continuing to urge her not to go, then promising to visit and bring her tasty treats. Qiu Jiaxin confessed she was afraid if he visited, she would be unable to continue her work and would simply return with him. As she boarded the bus, Qin Bin reiterated his instructions for her to take care and call him upon arrival.
Soon after, Qin Bin received a phone call from Zhou Xiaoshan, who had something very important to share but explicitly asked him not to tell Qiu Jianing. They met, and Zhou Xiaoshan informed Qin Bin he was going back to Europe to deal with a matter. He asked Qin Bin to look after Qiu Jianing if he was unable to return, leaving Qin Bin confused.
Zhou Xiaoshan expressed hope that if he was forgiven, he would not disappoint Qiu Jianing, but Qin Bin did not press for more details. At the airport, Qiu Jianing and Qin Bin saw Zhou Xiaoshan off. He embraced Qiu Jianing tightly and whispered "I love you" before departing. With both Qiu Jiaxin and Zhou Xiaoshan gone, Qiu Jianing admitted feeling a sense of loss.
Qin Bin lightheartedly commented on her emotional farewell with Zhou Xiaoshan, then asked about Qiu Jiaxin, confessing he missed her "very much," despite teasing that he wouldn't spoil her by saying so. Meanwhile, on the plane, Wenzhao asked Zhou Xiaoshan about his plan. Zhou Xiaoshan stated he would confront Uncle Zha directly, confident because he possessed something Uncle Zha desired.
Zhou Xiaoshan recounted his story with Qiu Jianing, explaining that "Original Plan" was meant to be his final mission as a corporate spy, after which Uncle Zha promised his freedom. However, Qiu Jianing became an unexpected "accident" in his life. Initially viewing her as a naive tool, he ultimately realized his desire for a new life was to live openly and honestly, like her.
Wenzhao, however, dismissed this as childish, citing the suffering of Xiang Lan, whom he considered the most innocent among them. Zhou Xiaoshan acknowledged his break with Uncle Zha, understanding the danger of returning but revealing that Qiu Jianing inspired him to go back and end everything himself. Unbeknownst to them, Uncle Zha was already aware of their return and was preparing for their arrival. Upon their arrival, Wenzhao immediately demanded to see Xiang Lan.
Uncle Zha offered to grant this on a condition, but Zhou Xiaoshan quickly countered, stating he would not reveal any information until he saw Xiang Lan. Uncle Zha led them to the sanatorium where Xiang Lan was. Wenzhao became visibly emotional upon seeing Xiang Lan alone in the room, while Zhou Xiaoshan also struggled with complex emotions. Tragically, Xiang Lan mistook Zhou Xiaoshan for Wenzhao, causing both men confusion.
Her emotional state quickly deteriorated, and she suffered a severe breakdown, screaming about her pain and desire to die to forget "Brother Xiaoshan." Doctors and nurses had to restrain her and administer a sedative. Zhou Xiaoshan then demanded to know why Xiang Lan had become this way. Uncle Zha explained that Xiang Lan's health and mental state had worsened two years after her marriage to Ruan Wenzhao.
He had wanted to keep her by his side, but Wenzhao refused, delaying her necessary care. By the time the Ruan family allowed her to return, her periods of lucidity were far outnumbered by her episodes of illness. Witnessing Xiang Lan's mental state nearing collapse and fearing she would commit suicide, Uncle Zha revealed he orchestrated a fake suicide to rescue her from the Ruan family, who would never have let her go.
He also confessed that Xiang Lan herself requested that Zhou Xiaoshan not be told, wishing to remain beautiful and happy in his memory. Uncle Zha then pleaded with Zhou Xiaoshan to stay with Xiang Lan forever. Zhou Xiaoshan, however, saw through this, directly accusing Uncle Zha of truly wanting the Original Plan.
Uncle Zha, admitting this, offered Zhou Xiaoshan and Qiu Jianing a life free of worries if he surrendered the Plan, even threatening to expose Zhou Xiaoshan's true identity to Qiu Jianing if he refused. Zhou Xiaoshan challenged him to destroy him, knowing that Uncle Zha would then lose the formula. Uncle Zha quickly backtracked, claiming he merely wanted everyone to achieve their desires.
Via a video call, Qiu Jiaxin told Qin Bin she was thriving as a highly skilled doctor in the countryside, working from dawn to dusk and enjoying a healthy lifestyle with mountain spring water and free-range chickens. She playfully teased him about not wanting to return, even joking about marrying there, which made Qin Bin upset. Qin Bin, now noticeably lovesick, confessed to a colleague, Zhao Yan, how much he missed Qiu Jiaxin and worried about her constantly.
Zhao Yan, calling him a "naggy mom," commented on Qin Bin's distracted state. Unable to bear it any longer, Qin Bin decided to take a week off next week to visit Qiu Jiaxin. Meanwhile, Zhu Zhu reported to Qiu Jianing that the air conditioner in Zhou Xiaoshan's dorm had been deliberately damaged. Zhu Zhu implied that Zhou Xiaoshan intentionally vandalized it to justify a room change, likely to move closer to Qiu Jianing.
Qiu Jianing dismissed the accusation, instructing Zhu Zhu to verify the facts before taking action, then sternly reminded her to expedite Zhou Xiaoshan's leave request. Qiu Jianing tried calling Zhou Xiaoshan, but Mo Li snatched his phone, preventing him from answering. Zhou Xiaoshan struggled to retrieve it, desperate to let Qiu Jianing know he was safe. Mo Li questioned whether he feared Qiu Jianing's worry or her discovering his true identity.
She then demanded he hand over the Original Plan, lamenting that his departure for China had made her realize she was insignificant and that struggling only brought pain, a fate she believed also awaited him. Zhou Xiaoshan refuted this, asserting his good heart despite past mistakes. Mo Li retorted that his "kindhearted" nature had him trapped "like a prisoner." She then brandished a gun, threatening to shoot if he attempted to leave.
Zhou Xiaoshan, undeterred, challenged her to shoot, declaring that neither she nor Uncle Zha could threaten him, as he had returned prepared to die. Qiu Jianing repeatedly attempted to call Zhou Xiaoshan, but his phone remained busy. Uncle Zha, aware of the situation, acknowledged that Zhou Xiaoshan should reassure Qiu Jianing, as publicizing the situation would be detrimental. He sent a message from Zhou Xiaoshan's phone to Qiu Jianing that simply read: "Busy, don't worry about me." Elsewhere, Qiu Jiaxin, feeling tired and hungry, began preparing instant noodles when she suddenly encountered an unforeseen incident, being abruptly pulled away from her door.
