Negotiator Episode 19 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
A storm of ambition and familial strife brewed. In a restaurant, Xie Tiancheng shared his ambitions with Xie Xiaotian, expressing his long-held resentment towards his elder brother, Xie Tianyou, for always suppressing him. He viewed Xie Xiaotian as more capable than Xie Xiaofei but felt Xie Tianyou blindly favored his biological son.
Tiancheng also pointed out that Xie Xiaotian's mother was relegated to living in the side building because Xie Tianyou still considered Xie Xiaofei's mother the true mistress of the family home, regardless of her years of devoted care. Tiancheng then subtly suggested a plan for Xie Xiaotian to help him take control of Xie Corporation, promising a significant role for Xiaotian in return. After returning home early from his meal, Xie Xiaotian was joined by his mother.
She told him she had been in the main building preparing food for his father and was now taking a break in the side building. Xiaotian questioned why she didn't just rest in the main building to avoid the hassle, but his mother simply said she was used to being in the side wing. He pressed her, asking if his father wanted her to return, but she clarified that Xie Tianyou preferred peace and quiet.
Xiaotian grew emotional, pointing out that she had been married to Xie Tianyou for ten years and was the rightful lady of the Xie family, yet still had to live in the side wing of the manor. He declared it unfair. His mother calmly stated that she was willing to make these sacrifices. Considering his uncle's plan and the unfair treatment of his mother and himself, Xie Xiaotian ultimately decided to team up with Xie Tiancheng.
Meanwhile, Tong Wei, who had recently returned from the United States, joined Xia Shanshan at a beauty salon. Shanshan excitedly recounted Tong Wei's romantic three-day trip with Xie Xiaofei, remarking on her success in both love and career. Tong Wei informed Shanshan that she would be traveling to New York in two days for Xie Corporation's celebration party.
Shanshan interpreted this as Tong Wei "meeting the in-laws" and insisted on comprehensive beauty treatments and shopping for a gift for Xie Tianyou to make a good first impression. While shopping, they coincidentally encountered Qin Tianyu and Shang Bichen. Qin Tianyu greeted them warmly, and Shang Bichen introduced herself as his assistant, complimenting Tong Wei. Shanshan, however, made a veiled remark about Shang Bichen's "special relationship" with Qin Tianyu.
Qin Tianyu tried to arrange a casual drink with Tong Wei, but Shanshan quickly intervened, announcing Tong Wei's imminent departure for New York, adding that Xie Tianyou himself had invited her. Tong Wei clarified she was attending the party on behalf of CAEA. After Qin Tianyu and Shang Bichen left, Shanshan, annoyed, expressed her anger at Qin Tianyu, criticizing him for appearing deeply in love with Tong Wei previously, only to be seen shopping with "some little girl" now.
She declared she would "blacklist" him. Qin Tianyu, affected by the encounter, lost his desire to continue shopping and instructed Shang Bichen to handle the client gifts herself. Later that night, Xie Xiaotian's mother visited Xie Tianyou, finding him still awake. She gently suggested he sleep early, understanding he was likely restless due to Xie Xiaofei's impending arrival. Xie Tianyou dismissed her concern, asserting he wouldn't lose sleep over his son.
After she left, Xie Xiaotian saw his mother returning to the side building and was again dismayed by her apparent unequal status within the household. He confronted her, asking if his father had prevented her from staying in the main building. His mother insisted she had chosen to return. Xiaotian accused her of lying, reminding her that he was her only blood relative in the house.
He lamented that despite being the Chairman's wife on paper, she still lacked legal status after all these years. He blamed Xie Tianyou for marrying her only for her grandfather's inheritance, and for his enduring devotion to Liu Wan Ying, whom Xiaotian dismissively described as no more than a "dead person" after a decade in a coma. His mother, visibly upset, sternly told him to stop, content as long as Xie Tianyou treated her well.
She then explained that loving someone meant silently supporting them. As dawn broke over New York, Xie Xiaofei dropped Tong Wei at her hotel before heading home. Xie Tianyou, who had waited up all night, finally went to rest once he saw Xie Xiaofei enter the house. After freshening up, Xie Xiaofei noticed Tong Wei hadn't sent him a goodnight message. He promptly video-called her, playfully trying to show off his physique.
The call was interrupted when Butler Ou unexpectedly appeared at his door to remind him of his early morning meeting with Xie Tianyou. Tong Wei, startled to see Butler Ou on screen, quickly hung up, leaving Xie Xiaofei feeling sheepish. The next morning, Xie Tianyou was already dressed and ready, but irritated to learn Xie Xiaofei was still asleep. Butler Ou was dispatched to pick up Tong Wei and bring her to Xie Corporation headquarters.
Upon arrival, Tong Wei was formally introduced to Xie Tianyou and the Xie Corporation team. She confidently introduced herself, stating that assisting President Fei was her professional duty as Xie Corporation's hired negotiator. As the meeting began, Xie Xiaofei arrived late, interrupting Tong Wei's project introduction. Xie Tianyou immediately rebuked him for his tardiness, calling him a "good for nothing" and questioning his dedication.
Xie Xiaofei retorted, accusing his father of being overly demanding and suggesting that everyone present sacrificed their families for the company. Xie Tianyou, furious, ordered him to shut up and told Tong Wei she was not in a position to interfere in their family business. In a fit of anger, Xie Xiaofei abruptly declared the meeting over and stormed out, pulling Tong Wei with him.
Outside the meeting room, Tong Wei confronted Xie Xiaofei, criticizing his rude behavior and lack of respect, which she believed justified his father's anger. Xie Xiaofei, however, remained defiant, claiming his father had no respect for him and that he wouldn't be a good son to a "terrible father." Tong Wei insisted he was in the wrong, and while he begrudgingly conceded, he refused to return to the meeting while his father was still angry, suggesting they go elsewhere.
He took her to Brooklyn, explaining that unlike the superficiality of Manhattan, Brooklyn offered authenticity. He shared childhood memories of his mother taking him there against his father’s wishes, telling him never to be biased against places one didn't know. He expressed his disdain for his father's world of "prejudice and narrow-mindedness," where everyone "constantly weighs up gains and losses." He confessed his inability to calmly discuss things with his father.
Next, he led her to a boxing club, introducing her to his friends as his girlfriend and showing off his boxing skills. Their time there was interrupted by Xie Xiaotian, who appeared to take Xie Xiaofei back, citing their father's concerns about the "shady" people in Brooklyn. Xie Xiaofei mocked Xiaotian, calling him a "good for nothing" for always obeying their father and wearing a suit every day.
He accused Xiaotian of secretly resenting their father's favoritism toward him and urged him to "rebel" for himself and his mother. When Xiaotian tried to escort him away, Xie Xiaofei forcefully ordered a beer for Xiaotian, knowing he was allergic to alcohol, and insisted he drink it before they could leave. Tong Wei intervened, drinking the beer herself to prevent Xiaotian from being forced, then scolding Xie Xiaofei for his cruel behavior.
Enraged, Xie Xiaofei accused her of defending his father and brother. He stormed off, and Xiaotian apologized to Tong Wei for his brother's actions. Afterward, Tong Wei returned to Xie Xiaofei, who apologized for his outburst. She encouraged him to mend his relationships with his father and brother, warning that ignoring old wounds would only cause more pain. Xie Xiaofei admitted his difficulty in forgetting the past, especially with his mother's prolonged illness.
Tong Wei suggested they visit his mother together. At the hospital, Xie Xiaofei dismissed the doctor's reports of no recovery, revealing his despair and loss of hope after years of unchanged diagnoses. Tong Wei reminded him that at least his mother was still alive. She then offered a new perspective on his father's past, suggesting that Xie Tianyou, like Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei, had faced significant family pressure to marry his mother, Wan Ying.
She concluded that his father had been braver in that regard. Xie Xiaofei countered that his father had caused his mother great suffering, but Tong Wei argued that his father might not have had alternatives, and from his mother's perspective, both Xie Tianyou and Xie Xiaofei were the closest people to her. She asked if his mother would want to see him consumed by anger.
Tong Wei urged Xie Xiaofei to take a brave step forward, promising to stay by his side. Xie Xiaofei, moved, pledged to do his best. Later, Butler Ou arrived to summon Tong Wei, stating that Chairman Xie wished to see her alone. Xie Xiaofei tried to prevent her from going, fearing his father's intentions, but Tong Wei calmly asserted that confronting this was inevitable.
At Xie Corporation, Xie Tianyou gave Tong Wei a tour, emphasizing the company's four-generation history, its vast employee count, and global reach. He then brought up Xie Xiaofei's visit to his mother, asking if Xiaofei hated him, and if he believed his "weakness" had led to his mother's condition. Tong Wei cautiously expressed her belief that their father-son relationship would improve.
Xie Tianyou confided in Tong Wei, admitting Xiaofei thought he was purely profit-driven and had pushed his mother onto her current path. He recounted the hardships he faced to marry Wan Ying and how her ambition led her to "overstep many boundaries." He explained his dual role as a husband and father, and as chairman of a corporation responsible for over 100,000 employees. If he only considered his family, he said, he would be selfish.
Tong Wei asked if he had shared this with Xie Xiaofei. Xie Tianyou replied that Xiaofei didn't believe him. Expressing his fear of not living long enough to see his son understand him, Xie Tianyou acknowledged Tong Wei's unique influence over Xie Xiaofei. He observed that Xiaofei treated her differently, respecting her opinion, and asked her to help urge Xiaofei to take his responsibilities seriously, as Xie Corporation would one day be his. Tong Wei promised she would.
