Negotiator Episode 18 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
Qin Tianyu, observing Tong Wei's transformation due to love, finally understood the profound depth of her feelings for Xie Xiaofei. He then sought out Xie Xiaofei, revealing he was entrusted by President Song to negotiate a partnership with Xie Corporation, requesting they yield a 40% stake. Xie Xiaofei immediately saw through Ke Wan's true intentions: the stake was merely a pacification strategy, and once the cooperation was secured, both families would still try to unite him with Zhao Chenxi.
However, Qin Tianyu warned him that if he refused the cooperation, Tong Wei would face significant responsibilities at CAEA that he would be unable to help her shoulder. These words caused Xie Xiaofei to fall into deep thought. Upon returning to the guesthouse, Xie Xiaofei told Tong Wei that Qin Tianyu was not as bad as he had previously imagined, and his past "bad deeds" were, in fact, done for her benefit.
He then informed Tong Wei that he would promptly return to New York to push forward with the Ke Wan project, stating that it was the last thing he could do for her. Early the next morning, Xie Xiaotian arrived at their guesthouse, sent by Xie Father. The landlady, Rita, attempted to block his bodyguards and rushed upstairs to alert Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei.
Xie Xiaotian informed Xie Xiaofei that President Song and their father had spoken, and Miss Zhao wished to collaborate with Xie Corporation again. He conveyed their father's demand for Xie Xiaofei to return to New York immediately to give Zhao Chenxi what she needed. Xie Xiaofei retorted that if his father was so keen, he could handle it himself.
Xie Xiaotian explained that the company was not doing well recently, and their father was under immense pressure, making it crucial that the "Secret" project's entry into the Chinese market did not fail. Accepting his fate, Xie Xiaofei asked for a moment, then told Tong Wei he had to leave. Xie Xiaofei then suggested to Tong Wei they say goodbye to Rita.
Rita, who had prepared breakfast, asked them to invite Xie Xiaotian and his men to join, but Tong Wei sadly thanked her for her care and announced they had to depart. Rita expressed her reluctance to say goodbye, yet wished them a happy life. She then led them to her "wedding wall," adorned with photos from couples worldwide, and requested they send their own wedding photo after marriage. Xie Xiaofei somberly replied that they would never marry.
Rita, surprised, asked why, given their evident love. Tong Wei confessed that they would be over as soon as they left the house, explaining that their trip had been a breakup trip all along due to unavoidable circumstances. Rita, visibly moved, asked them to sit down and then confessed her own lie: there was no "old man." Her fiancé, Cruise, had died young in the 1965 war, never becoming her husband.
She recounted their secret love, their plans to marry, his enlistment, and his death, leaving her devastated and unable to love anyone else. Rita explained that she hosted young couples like them to fulfill her own unlived love story, using her "old man" as a facade. She implored them, stating that when two people are in love, nothing truly separates them except death itself.
She noted that people in this era of peace were often selfish, unwilling to overcome even minor difficulties like parental objections or societal pressures, whereas their love could not withstand tests. Urging them to hold hands and look at each other, she asked if either could ever love another if their partner were to die. If not, she advised, their relationship was worth everything. She concluded by telling them to bravely face their challenges and not give up.
Both Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were in tears, yet understood they still had to part. As Xie Xiaotian urged his brother to hurry, Xie Xiaofei, after confirming Tong Wei's flight time, decided he had one more thing to do. He wanted to take Tong Wei somewhere special before they parted ways. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei sailing for one last time.
He remarked that their three-day journey, which began in the sky, was now ending at sea, a love unique to them. Tong Wei acknowledged that he had indeed made her unforgettable, but Xie Xiaofei desired more; he wanted her to be unable to leave him, admitting he could not bear the thought of her finding comfort or happiness with another man.
He wept as he proposed they run away together, suggesting they dock the boat at another port and sneak past his brother. He promised he would never push her away again and forbade her from leaving him. After disembarking, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei attempted to slip away unnoticed, but were spotted by bodyguards. Xie Xiaotian, upon being informed, immediately ordered the guards to pursue them. To escape, they boarded a passing tourist bus.
When the driver and passengers learned they were eloping, they joyfully offered their blessings, with the driver promising to drive them to the end of happiness. They disembarked in a remote, rural area, believing they had successfully evaded their pursuers. Xie Xiaofei, full of renewed determination, declared he would give up everything for Tong Wei, promising her a complete home and expressing his love.
He reiterated Rita's words that only death could separate two people in love, and if they couldn't overcome their current challenges, they weren't worthy of love. Their tender moment was abruptly shattered when Xie Xiaotian's car pulled up. Qin Tianyu emerged, restraining Tong Wei while bodyguards seized Xie Xiaofei. In that critical moment, Tong Wei's phone rang. It was Chen Mo, China's top venture capitalist who had previously contacted Tong Wei.
Tong Wei quickly used Chen Mo's offer to collaborate with Xie Corporation as leverage, forcing Xie Xiaotian to release Xie Xiaofei. They promptly returned to China to embark on the new project. Upon their arrival in Shanghai, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei immediately began discussing the collaboration with Chen Mo. Tong Wei revealed that she had approached Chen Mo earlier when their Ke Wan negotiations failed, but he had declined.
His sudden interest now indicated he was seizing an opportune moment to pressure Xie Corporation. Recognizing Chen Mo's advantage, they understood they needed an element of surprise to succeed. Tong Wei quickly assembled her negotiation team, who rallied around her with support. Xie Xiaofei, concerned that Chen Mo might know their bottom line, suggested they be prepared to concede some shares. However, Tong Wei firmly believed they could not afford to show weakness now.
In this urgent situation, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei sought out Tong Tiantian. They cleverly persuaded her to assist them, with Tong Wei explaining that Xie Xiaofei's previous refusal to help with a personal photo issue was actually to protect Tiantian from public backlash. Xie Xiaofei further sweetened the deal by agreeing to all of Tiantian's future requests if she helped. Though initially resistant, Tiantian, soft-hearted, eventually agreed, but vowed to hold Xie Xiaofei accountable for all future favors.
The negotiations between Xie Corporation and Chen Mo proved to be very successful. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei invited Chen Mo to dinner. Chen Mo expressed strong enthusiasm for the tourism industry and playfully suggested Xie Xiaofei convince Tong Wei to join his company, praising her potential for a bright future. Tong Wei, however, laughed it off, reaffirming her loyalty to CAEA and her passion for negotiation as a career.
After Chen Mo left, Xie Xiaofei once again urged Tong Wei to consider leaving CAEA, feeling the company was not treating her fairly. Tong Wei explained that while issues like Cai Tian Lan contributed to her frustration, her true motivation was her love for negotiation as a career.
She found immense meaning and reward in the open-hearted communication required to unite parties towards a common goal, even more so than in her relationship with Xie Xiaofei, much to his humorous chagrin. Meanwhile, in New York, Xie Xiaotian apologized to his father for failing to bring Xie Xiaofei back. Xie Father, however, was pleased with the Chen Mo deal, acknowledging its positive impact on Xie Corporation's annual reports.
Xie Xiaotian informed him that Chen Mo was Tong Wei's personal contact, which surprised Xie Father, who questioned how a "regular negotiator" could wield such influence. Xie Xiaotian further reported Xie Xiaofei's complete devotion to Tong Wei. Despite this, Xie Father remained steadfast in his belief that a woman of Tong Wei's background could never become the mistress of the Xie family. He then instructed Xie Xiaotian to organize a celebratory banquet for Xie Corporation, specifically requesting Tong Wei's presence.
General Manager Zhou subsequently called Tong Wei back to work, impressed by her negotiation success. She then presented Tong Wei with the invitation to Xie Corporation's celebratory event, noting that it was highly unusual for such an invitation to be extended to an individual negotiator. General Manager Zhou surmised that Xie Father must be aware of Tong Wei's relationship with Xie Xiaofei, and cautioned her that the invitation could be either a blessing or a curse.
Unsure how to proceed, Tong Wei consulted Xie Xiaofei. He understood his father's intentions, but reassured her to attend with confidence, promising to handle any challenges that arose. He acknowledged that his family viewed him as an heir and a son, bound to serve Xie Corporation's profits and make a socially and economically advantageous marriage. He believed this invitation was their family's initial "show of strength."
Tong Wei, recalling her past struggles after her parents' death, declared she feared nothing with him by her side. Xie Xiaofei then shared his plan to make Xie Xiaotian the heir after this matter concluded, ensuring their future peace.
