Negotiator Episode 11 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
Xia Shanshan witnessed Qi Ru Hai with his ex-wife, Gong Qin, instantly dampening her spirits. Tong Wei noticed Shanshan’s distress, and Shanshan confessed that since starting her relationship with Qi Ru Hai, she had lost her job and alienated her family, leaving her with nothing but him to rely on. Tong Wei urged her to call him for clarification, but Shanshan, forcing a smile, insisted she had witnessed them with her own eyes and claimed it was fine.
Tong Wei then received an urgent call and had to leave. After Tong Wei left, Xia Shanshan repeatedly called Qi Ru Hai. While Qi Ru Hai was with Gong Qin, his phone rang continuously, a detail Gong Qin noticed. Gong Qin questioned Qi Ru Hai, stating she had heard he intended to marry Xia Shanshan, which he denied.
Gong Qin reminded him of his promise during their divorce not to remarry, adding that she felt deceived by his intimacy with Shanshan, given his earlier promise. She emphasized that while their private lives were separate, their professional lives intertwined, making her uncomfortable with his relationship with Shanshan, particularly as his business heavily relied on the Gong family. Qi Ru Hai returned home, irritated by Xia Shanshan's numerous calls.
He confronted her about the twenty-something missed calls, but Shanshan, equally upset, questioned his presence with Gong Qin at the coffee shop. He explained it was a business meeting. When Shanshan asked if he loved her, he affirmed, stating he had never been more interested in any woman. Shanshan then pressed him for a marriage license, but he deferred, citing his busy schedule and age.
Enraged, Shanshan expressed her humiliation, citing that people viewed her as his "kept woman" confined to their home. She gave him an ultimatum: marry her with a "grand wedding" within two months, or they would break up. Qi Ru Hai hesitated, explaining that at his age, marriage involved many complex considerations she wouldn't understand. Sensing his unwillingness to commit, Shanshan declared their relationship over, threw the jewelry and rings he had given her onto the floor, and stormed out barefoot.
Xia Shanshan, crying, immediately called Tong Wei, telling her she had broken up with Qi Ru Hai because he refused to marry her. Tong Wei, who was at work with Xie Xiaofei, rushed to Shanshan's side, with Xie Xiaofei accompanying her. After comforting Shanshan, Tong Wei explained Shanshan's deep commitment to Qi Ru Hai, for whom she had sacrificed her career and everything. Xie Xiaofei then stated his belief that Qi Ru Hai would never marry Xia Shanshan.
He elaborated that Qi Ru Hai, who started his business at 36 and became president of Le Pai Corporation, had received his initial investment from his ex-wife's father, an act that defined his business foundation. He explained that remarrying would be perceived as a "betrayal" of his ex-wife's family, implying severe business repercussions from the family that founded his success. Tong Wei brought Xia Shanshan back to her apartment.
Shanshan, realizing she couldn't starve, resolved to find a job to support herself. Tong Wei invited her to stay, brushing off Shanshan's concerns about being a bother. Later, Shanshan observed Tong Wei chatting on WeChat and inquired about her relationship with Qin Tianyu.
Tong Wei firmly stated that a relationship with Qin Tianyu was "impossible" and also claimed not to have feelings for anyone else, explaining that she didn't view love as a daily necessity and preferred to wait for the right person to come along. Unbeknownst to Shanshan, Tong Wei had been messaging Xie Xiaofei, who expressed his loneliness, feeling like he was "living like a widow" due to her absence.
After Shanshan went to her room, Tong Wei took out her father's diary. She reminisced about her childhood, recalling her parents telling her she was their "princess" and that a prince would one day marry her, to which young Tong Wei replied she only wanted to be with her parents forever. The next morning, with Qin Tianyu's assistance, Xia Shanshan successfully secured a new job.
That evening, as Tong Wei was preparing for the upcoming second round of negotiations, Xie Xiaofei tried to persuade her to have dinner with him. However, Shanshan called, excitedly inviting Tong Wei to dinner to celebrate her new job. Tong Wei, after initially agreeing to dinner with Xie Xiaofei, had to leave him to meet Shanshan.
Xie Xiaofei, calling her a "puppy" for being summoned away by the same girl again, reluctantly agreed to let her go after she promised to make it up to him. Upon arriving at the restaurant, Tong Wei was surprised and somewhat awkward to find Qin Tianyu also present, having been invited by Shanshan, who lauded him for helping her find employment.
As Tong Wei excused herself to the restroom, Shanshan seized the opportunity to encourage Qin Tianyu to be more proactive in pursuing Tong Wei, warning that Xie Xiaofei might "catch" her if he remained too reserved. Shanshan even suggested that Tong Wei's recently improved appearance hinted at her interest in Xie Xiaofei. While Tong Wei was in the restroom, Xie Xiaofei called her phone, which she had left at the table. Shanshan urged Qin Tianyu to answer, which he did.
Upon hearing Qin Tianyu's voice, Xie Xiaofei angrily hung up. He immediately called Tong Wei again, demanding she appear before him within ten minutes and threatening to contact President Zhou if she failed to comply. Tong Wei hurried to the hotel where Xie Xiaofei was waiting. He accused her of lying, but she clarified that Xia Shanshan had invited Qin Tianyu, and she was unaware he would be there.
Xie Xiaofei, channeling his anger, told Tong Wei to instruct Shanshan that merely finding a job would not win Qi Ru Hai back. He asserted that the only way for Shanshan to reconcile with Qi Ru Hai was to "humbly admit her mistake," emphasizing that for Qi Ru Hai, a businessman, "no profit" in marrying Shanshan equated to a "disadvantage." Tong Wei was indignant, feeling that his words not only insulted Shanshan but also herself.
She retorted, questioning what "benefits" she, as a woman, offered him, a businessman, given his cynical view on relationships. Xie Xiaofei, overwhelmed, passionately declared he was with her because he "truly likes" her, not for profit. Tong Wei, however, remained upset and, reminding him of the next day's negotiation, left him. Later, at home, Tong Wei reflected on Xie Xiaofei's astute analysis of Qi Ru Hai's business motivations, realizing a deeper, more mature side to him she hadn't recognized previously.
Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei tried to apologize to Tong Wei via calls and messages, but her phone was off and she did not reply. He then inwardly vowed to help her secure a victory in the upcoming negotiation. The following morning, the second round of negotiations between Cowan and Xie's commenced as scheduled, with Song Haojie also making an unexpected appearance.
Tong Wei initiated discussions by proposing that Xie's, as the brand output for the seven-star resort, should hold an 80% stake. Zhao Chenxi immediately rejected Tong Wei's terms and insisted on speaking directly with Xie Xiaofei. To everyone's surprise, Xie Xiaofei then proposed an even more aggressive term: sole proprietorship for Xie's. He then publicly criticized CAEA for not adhering to his directives, feigned anger, and abruptly walked out, interrupting the negotiation once again.
The Cowan representatives, clearly displeased, also departed shortly after. Tong Wei was concerned by the chaotic halt to the negotiations, fearing the negative repercussions. However, knowing Xie Xiaofei well, she dismissed her colleagues and waited for him. As expected, Xie Xiaofei soon returned. She confronted him about his disruptive behavior during the meeting. This time, he was not capricious but offered a sincere explanation, detailing the negotiation pitfalls she had overlooked. He also genuinely apologized for their argument the previous night and his antics during the meeting. Tong Wei couldn't help but smile, touched by his sincerity.
