Negotiator Episode 13 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
With Tong Tiantian's help, Xie Xiaofei successfully earned Tong Wei's forgiveness. Though he acted a bit flippant, Tong Wei was nonetheless amused by his sincerity. The very next morning, Xie Xiaofei waited downstairs at Tong Wei's home. Tong Wei didn't want him to be overtly affectionate in public, prompting Xie Xiaofei to complain that dating her felt secretive. He remarked that when he dated other people, they longed to be with him 24 hours a day.
Tong Wei playfully asked who these "other people" were, but before Xie Xiaofei could answer, Zhao Chenxi called. To avoid any misunderstanding, Xie Xiaofei immediately put the call on speaker. However, Zhao Chenxi addressed him intimately and even asked when she should return his clothes. Startled, Xie Xiaofei quickly hung up, scrambling to explain to Tong Wei that he had simply lent Zhao Chenxi his coat because she was cold, and there was nothing else between them.
Tong Wei teased him for being such a gentleman, but Xie Xiaofei continued to profusely apologize and promise not to meet Zhao Chenxi alone again. Upon arriving at her company, Tong Wei was immediately summoned by President Zhou, who appeared displeased. President Zhou bluntly stated she was aware of Tong Wei's relationship with Xie Xiaofei, having seen them together multiple times on the streets and in a car.
President Zhou sternly warned Tong Wei about the severe consequences of such a relationship, emphasizing that CAEA's policy strictly prohibited employees from dating clients. While Xie Xiaofei could easily return to the U. S. after the project concluded, Tong Wei would risk losing her career, a career she had dedicated ten years to building, if their relationship was exposed. President Zhou urged Tong Wei to realize that her dreams and the truth she pursued would be jeopardized.
She clarified that Tong Wei had to choose between her work and her feelings, giving her three days to resolve the matter. Tong Wei requested more time, promising to handle the situation, but President Zhou reiterated her ultimatum: if Tong Wei chose to continue the relationship, she would be removed from the current case. Back in her office, Tong Wei canceled all her remaining work for the day.
Her mind was heavy with concern as she replayed her moments with Xie Xiaofei, weighing the pros and cons of their relationship. Later, Qin Tianyu called Tong Wei, inviting her to a performance that evening. Despite her low spirits, Tong Wei initially declined, expressing reluctance to give him the wrong impression.
However, Qin Tianyu invoked his upcoming birthday and reminded her of his help in finding her father's diary, compelling Tong Wei to reluctantly agree to the outing as a final favor. Simultaneously, Xie Xiaofei sent Tong Wei a message, to which she falsely replied that she had family matters to attend to at home, omitting her plans with Qin Tianyu.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chenxi also arranged a meeting with Xie Xiaofei, citing urgent business, and led him to the very same bar where Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu were seeing the performance. This was a deliberate setup by Zhao Chenxi, who feigned surprise at encountering Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu.
She then pretended not to know Qin Tianyu when introducing herself, but immediately referred to him as Tong Wei's boyfriend to Xie Xiaofei, creating a misunderstanding that Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu were on a private date. Trapped in the awkward encounter, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were unable to openly explain themselves and could only suppress their sadness and anger. During the performance, the singer announced a "kiss cam" activity for couples in the audience.
Coincidentally, the camera landed on Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi's table. The crowd enthusiastically chanted for them to kiss. Xie Xiaofei, visibly annoyed, turned to glance at Tong Wei, but in a swift moment, Zhao Chenxi boldly stood up and kissed Xie Xiaofei. Witnessing this, Tong Wei declared she felt unwell and needed to leave immediately. While she waited for Qin Tianyu to retrieve the car, Xie Xiaofei approached her.
He urged Tong Wei not to meet Qin Tianyu alone again and reiterated that there was nothing between him and Zhao Chenxi, blaming himself for misunderstanding her. He tried to embrace Tong Wei, seeking to comfort her, but it was at this moment that Tong Wei, having made up her mind, uttered the words, "Let’s break up." Xie Xiaofei was distraught, vehemently refusing to accept the breakup and promising never to meet any other woman alone again.
Tong Wei, however, calmly explained that their relationship had begun too hastily, that they hadn't thoroughly considered many things, and that they simply were not suitable for each other. She then left him there. Qin Tianyu drove Tong Wei home. At her doorstep, Tong Wei made it clear to Qin Tianyu that he should stop being kind to her, explaining that her lack of romantic feelings meant there was no possibility for them.
She stated that love either exists or it doesn't, with no gray areas. Qin Tianyu, frustrated, questioned why he was inferior to Xie Xiaofei, despite his long-standing affection for her, but Tong Wei remained resolute in her decision. On the other side of town, Zhao Chenxi dropped Xie Xiaofei off. Before leaving, she asked if he had anything to say about the evening.
Still fuming, Xie Xiaofei loudly proclaimed that he had never liked her, did not like her now, and would never like her in the future, adding that he was indifferent to the collaboration between Ke Wan and Xie Corporation. That dark night was filled with partings and personal struggles for everyone. Qin Tianyu, unable to process Tong Wei's words, sped to his company building where he saw Shang Bichen leaving work.
In his distraught state, he impulsively asked Shang Bichen if she liked him. Shang Bichen shyly admitted her feelings, but Qin Tianyu, in turn, told her not to like him. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei, unable to accept the breakup with Tong Wei, sent her numerous apologies via text message throughout the night. However, Tong Wei, having resolved her decision, did not respond to any of his messages. The next morning, despite her firm stance, Tong Wei felt no relief.
During a meeting, she overheard her colleagues, Jiang Ke and Qiqi, gossiping about photos of Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi kissing that had spread online. Hearing their chatter, an irritated Tong Wei reprimanded them.
