Negotiator Episode 20 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
Tong Wei arrived at the meeting room, where the Xie family directors and Xie Tianyou were already waiting. She formally introduced herself to Xie Tianyou, who, despite Xie Xiaofei's absence, intended to start the meeting immediately. As Tong Wei began her presentation, Xie Xiaofei appeared with two cups of coffee, still looking unconcerned. Xie Tianyou admonished him for being late and ordered him out, but Xie Xiaofei countered that as the project leader, the meeting could not proceed without him.
Xie Tianyou angrily chastised Xie Xiaofei for his lack of effort, but Xie Xiaofei retorted defiantly. Tong Wei tried to calm Xie Xiaofei, but Xie Tianyou snapped at her, telling her not to interfere as she was not a member of the Xie family. Outraged that Tong Wei was scolded, Xie Xiaofei abruptly dissolved the meeting and walked out, taking Tong Wei with him. Outside the company, Tong Wei felt uneasy and urged Xie Xiaofei to return for the meeting.
However, Xie Xiaofei insisted that if Xie Tianyou did not respect Tong Wei, there was no need for the meeting, and they would only return once his father's anger subsided. Xie Xiaofei then took Tong Wei to Central Park, where they rode in a carriage, their spirits lifting in the clear weather. He pointed out lesser-known details about New York. Later, they observed street dancers, and Xie Xiaofei explained it was a free donation system.
Their journey continued to Brooklyn, where they admired street art and experienced a different atmosphere from Manhattan. As they walked hand in hand, Xie Xiaofei confessed his inability to tolerate his father's inherent narrow-mindedness and prejudice. As evening fell, Xie Xiaofei brought Tong Wei to his usual boxing gym. Shortly after they settled at the bar, Xie Xiaotian arrived, urging Xie Xiaofei to go home.
Xie Xiaofei reacted hostilely, criticizing Xie Xiaotian for his outwardly polished appearance while enduring a life devoid of dignity under Xie Tianyou at Xie Corporation. Xie Xiaotian remained silent, but Xie Xiaofei escalated his taunts, demanding Xie Xiaotian, who was allergic to alcohol, drink a bottle of beer before he would agree to leave.
Unable to watch further, Tong Wei swiftly took the bottle and drank it herself, prompting Xie Xiaofei to chase after her as she stormed out of the gym. They argued outside, with Tong Wei accusing Xie Xiaofei of deliberately tormenting his brother. Xie Xiaofei, in turn, lashed out, claiming his own family's actions were far worse, and angrily abandoned Tong Wei. Xie Xiaotian, who had overheard their argument from inside, emerged and drove Tong Wei back to her hotel.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Qin Tianyu gazed at Tong Wei's photo on his phone, then called Xia Shanshan. This time, Xia Shanshan did not advocate for Qin Tianyu, stating that Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei were doing well. She also suggested that Shang Bichen's feelings for Qin Tianyu were evident from their last encounter at the mall, encouraging him to focus his attention there. Coincidentally, Shang Bichen, having recently been promoted, invited Qin Tianyu to dinner.
At the restaurant, Shang Bichen hesitated over the expensive menu, so Qin Tianyu insisted on paying for the meal himself. After a pleasant dinner, Qin Tianyu walked Shang Bichen home. Outside her building, influenced by Xia Shanshan's words, he leaned in for a kiss but hesitated as Tong Wei's image flashed in his mind, causing him to leave abruptly. The next day, Xie Xiaofei, filled with remorse, sought Tong Wei to apologize.
Tong Wei, however, told him his apologies were due to his father and Xie Xiaotian, not her. Xie Xiaofei explained his difficulty forgiving Xie Tianyou as long as his mother lay ill, making it impossible to apologize to Xie Xiaotian. Hoping to help him resolve his emotional knots, Tong Wei offered to accompany him to visit his mother. At the hospital, they were disappointed to learn from the doctor that his mother showed no signs of waking.
Xie Xiaofei, weary of such pronouncements, dismissed the doctor. Tong Wei consoled him, suggesting that perhaps Xie Tianyou's perspective was not what Xie Xiaofei imagined, and that his parents' past situation might mirror their own. She encouraged him to try to understand and accept Xie Tianyou. As they left the hospital, Butler Ou intercepted them, stating that Xie Tianyou wished to speak with Tong Wei alone. Xie Xiaofei adamantly refused, declaring they would not be separated.
However, Tong Wei persuaded him, and she went with Butler Ou to Xie Corporation. Xie Tianyou warmly greeted Tong Wei, giving her a tour of the company and detailing its development. Beyond business matters, Xie Tianyou spoke about Xie Xiaofei and his mother, expressing his helplessness in balancing family and career. He then earnestly appealed to Tong Wei, recognizing Xie Xiaofei's affection for her, to help Xie Xiaofei regain his spirit.
After her meeting with Xie Tianyou, Xie Xiaofei approached Tong Wei, anxiously asking what his father had said and if he had tried to force them to break up. Tong Wei reassured him that Xie Tianyou made no such threats, and that Xie Xiaofei’s prejudice against his father was too deep. Xie Xiaofei insisted he knew his father better and warned he would never forgive Xie Tianyou if he tried to sabotage their relationship.
He then announced they needed to get dressed for an important night party. Xie Tianyou, meanwhile, discussed with Butler Ou his strategy, noting that once a man experiences power, love and relationships become less important. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei to a boutique, dismissing Xia Shanshan’s taste. While Tong Wei tried on a dress, they encountered Xie Xiaofei’s aunt, who had reserved the same garment.
Xie Xiaofei, in front of the staff, openly humiliated his aunt, claiming the dress was a waste on her and better suited Tong Wei, advising her to find something age-appropriate. Furious, the aunt later complained to her husband, Tian Cheng, about Xie Xiaofei’s disrespect. Tian Cheng calmly assured her that soon, Xie Xiaofei and his father would be begging them.
Xie Xiaofei then brought Tong Wei to his apartment in Manhattan, which he called his real home, a place of freedom from his father. He revealed the deep-seated resentment his uncle held due to the tradition of the eldest son inheriting all, explaining that in the self-interested Xie family, blood ties meant little. He presented Tong Wei with a valuable necklace, his mother’s favorite, insisting she wear it for the upcoming important occasion, believing his mother would be happy.
During this time, Xie Xiaotian spoke to his uncle, Tian Cheng, on the phone, confirming the acquisitions were proceeding smoothly and acknowledging that there was no turning back. His uncle reminded him of the potential consequences for his mother if they failed. Later, at a press conference, Xie Tianyou was about to announce Xie Corporation’s partnership to enter the Chinese market when Xie Tiancheng dramatically interrupted.
He declared that after over a year of silent acquisitions, he was now the major shareholder of Xie Corporation, replacing Xie Tianyou and taking control. Witnessing the coup, Xie Tianyou collapsed, and Xie Xiaofei furiously confronted Xie Xiaotian. Shortly after, Xie Xiaotian’s mother confronted him, exclaiming, "I don't have a son like this!" She expressed her disappointment and love for Xie Tianyou, emphasizing that true love is selfless and demands no return.
She implored Xie Xiaotian to ensure Xie Tianyou’s health, threatening to never forgive him if anything happened to his stepfather. In the hospital, a doctor informed Xie Tianyou and his family that he was awake. Xie Tianyou, with Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei present, admitted his oversight regarding his brother's ambition.
He then outlined a plan for Xie Xiaofei to regain control: they must find Tang Mi Cai, a secret partner in China who had been living in seclusion for thirty years. Combined, their shares would exceed Xie Tiancheng’s. Xie Tianyou provided a thirty-year-old photo of Tang Mi Cai, stressing the difficulty of contacting him, and urged Tong Wei to assist Xie Xiaofei in this crucial task. Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei discussed Xie Tianyou's plan.
Xie Xiaofei expressed reluctance to fight for power, believing it was the root of his family's problems and preferring a simpler life. He questioned if Tong Wei would leave him if he was no longer the heir. Tong Wei affirmed her commitment, but also gently challenged his perspective, suggesting his understanding of his father might be flawed.
She also shared her own dream of a simple, normal life, and urged him to let go of his bitterness and "fighter's mentality," reminding him that she would always be by his side if he chose that path. Shortly after, Xie Tiancheng’s representatives arrived at Xie Xiaofei’s Manhattan apartment, informing him it was company property and he had to vacate immediately.
Xie Tiancheng then called Xie Xiaofei, confirming the seizure of his properties and his father’s residence, and even controlling his mother’s hospital fees. Xie Xiaofei issued a stern warning against harming his mother. Xie Xiaofei stormed off to confront Xie Xiaotian, feeling betrayed. Xie Xiaotian defended his actions, explaining they were born from years of his mother's mistreatment by Xie Tianyou, who had confined her to a secondary residence and treated her like a housekeeper.
He then verbally attacked Xie Xiaofei, calling him a parasite who only borrowed money from the company. Enraged, Xie Xiaofei threw his credit cards on the ground, vowing to live without the Xie family’s money and prove his independence. Tong Wei found a dejected Xie Xiaofei and comforted him, advising him to eat to regain strength for his fight. While they were eating at a restaurant, Xie Xiaofei’s aunt appeared again, publicly mocking his current predicament and insulting Tong Wei for being with a man who had lost everything.
