Negotiator Episode 24 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
Tian Tian found a hotel for Xie Xiaofei and gave him all her pocket money. Xie Xiaofei offered her his watch to pawn as payment, asking her not to help Qin Tianyu pursue Tong Wei. However, Tian Tian declined the watch, stating she would remain impartial and let Xie Xiaofei and Qin Tianyu compete fairly for Tong Wei’s affection. Later, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei had dinner. Tong Wei noticed his preoccupation and sensed he was keeping something from her.
Xie Xiaofei playfully deflected her concerns by joking that Luo Bin had not only arranged his accommodation but also found him a wife. Tong Wei didn't believe him and informed him about a birthday party her colleagues were throwing for her that evening, inviting him to join and simply give her a smile as a gift. It was then Xie Xiaofei realized it was her birthday and became anxious about not having a present.
After dinner, Tong Wei immediately focused on work, discussing the collaboration between Chen Mo and Xie Corporation with her team. She reported to General Manager Zhou that Chen Mo was still willing to proceed, and the talks were going well. General Manager Zhou, pleased with the update, mentioned Tong Wei’s birthday and noted her seven years at CAEA.
However, upon learning that Tong Wei was helping Xie Xiaofei against Xie Tiancheng, General Manager Zhou sternly warned her against mixing personal and professional matters, cautioning that it would create trouble for both her and the company. She explained that President Qu, acting on Xie Tiancheng's behalf, had instructed them to obtain Tommy Cai's photo from Tong Wei. That evening, a warm atmosphere filled Tong Wei’s birthday party.
As she made a wish over her cake, Xia Shanshan arrived with Qin Tianyu. Qin Tianyu presented Tong Wei with a gift, and the guests playfully urged Xie Xiaofei to offer his. Xie Xiaofei could only manage a simple "Happy Birthday," feeling embarrassed. Tian Tian privately confronted him about his lack of a gift, and Xie Xiaofei acknowledged he had shamed Tong Wei. To Xie Xiaofei’s dismay, Qin Tianyu then discreetly paid for the entire party.
Xie Xiaofei felt immense guilt for his inability to do anything for Tong Wei. After the party, Xie Xiaofei remained despondent, but Tong Wei comforted him, assuring him that her affection needed no material expression; she only wished for his happiness and strength. To cheer her up, Xie Xiaofei performed several high-difficulty somersaults in the street, which not only made Tong Wei laugh heartily but also earned him small monetary gifts from passersby who mistook him for a street performer.
Tong Wei embraced him, calling it the best birthday gift. Xie Xiaofei, his voice filled with emotion, then told Tong Wei "I love you," a declaration of profound significance for him in his current penniless state. That night, Xie Xiaofei experienced unprecedented emotions, finding no joy. Zhao Chenxi located him, bringing pizza and offering him a place to stay. Xie Xiaofei's eyes welled up with tears as he realized his helplessness since leaving Xie Corporation.
On Tong Wei's birthday, he had been reduced to amusing her with flips and accepting alms from strangers. While he thanked Zhao Chenxi for her help in his desperate time, he could not accept her romantic feelings. Zhao Chenxi left him a bank card and car keys, but after much thought, Xie Xiaofei decided to return them. Unexpectedly, General Manager Zhou found Xie Xiaofei and urged him to leave Tong Wei for her future.
General Manager Zhou explained that Xie Tiancheng was aware of Tong Wei's assistance to Xie Xiaofei and was deliberately causing her trouble. She emphasized that Xie Xiaofei should not be an obstacle to Tong Wei's dreams, stating that if he truly loved her, he should help her succeed, as her career at CAEA would be over if they remained together, especially with Xie Tiancheng's fury. After work, Tong Wei became anxious when she couldn't reach Xie Xiaofei.
She called Tian Tian, who initially feigned ignorance of his whereabouts. Tong Wei then went to Luo Bin's club, only to learn Xie Xiaofei wasn't staying there. Simultaneously, Tian Tian discovered Xie Xiaofei had checked out of the hotel. Realizing Xie Xiaofei's dire situation, Luo Bin immediately dispatched people to search for him. Tong Wei worried all night and went to the police station in the morning, but was told that a missing person report could not be filed.
Later, Tong Wei met Qin Tianyu, who, noticing her distress, revealed that Xie Xiaofei was staying at Zhao Chenxi's house. Back home, Tian Tian asked Tong Wei about Xie Xiaofei's situation. Tong Wei was self-reproachful, wishing she had cared for him more. Seeing her sadness, Tian Tian comforted her. Subsequently, Xia Shanshan contacted Tong Wei, expressing concern for her well-being.
She explained that Tong Wei's emotional support for Xie Xiaofei clashed with her professional duties concerning Xie Corporation, warning that others would eventually force Tong Wei to choose between her career and personal feelings. Xia Shanshan told Tong Wei that Xie Xiaofei was with another woman, suggesting it was natural for him to choose Zhao Chenxi given her ability to aid his career.
She urged Tong Wei to confront Xie Xiaofei at Zhao Chenxi's house to uncover the truth, emphasizing that Tong Wei deserved to know why he had seemingly betrayed her. Qin Tianyu also texted Tong Wei Zhao Chenxi's address. Xia Shanshan challenged Tong Wei's hesitation, reminding her of her usual strength and professional success, questioning if it was "worth it" to lose herself over a man who had left. Tong Wei reluctantly agreed it wasn't.
Xia Shanshan then insisted they go together to confront Xie Xiaofei. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei was attempting to leave Zhao Chenxi’s house, explaining that he didn't want to involve or harm her further. As he tried to leave, Tong Wei, Tian Tian, and Xia Shanshan arrived outside, with Tian Tian shouting for Xie Xiaofei to come out. Zhao Chenxi tried to dismiss them. Tong Wei demanded an explanation.
In a desperate attempt to push Tong Wei away and protect her, Xie Xiaofei declared that he had fallen in love with Zhao Chenxi and would be living with her. Tian Tian accused Xie Xiaofei of being unmanly, while Zhao Chenxi asserted that Xie Xiaofei had made his choice clear and that they were well-suited. Tong Wei, deeply hurt, requested to speak with him alone, but he refused.
After Tong Wei left, Xie Xiaofei apologized to Zhao Chenxi for using her, reiterating that he had nothing left but his dignity and insisted on leaving her house to avoid hurting her further. Zhao Chenxi tried to dissuade him, but he remained resolute. Later, while Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi were walking together, they were ambushed by a group of thugs. During the ensuing fight, Zhao Chenxi was taken hostage.
To protect her, Xie Xiaofei allowed himself to be severely beaten. Sun Hao and his companions, passing by, intervened and drove off the attackers. Zhao Chenxi took the injured Xie Xiaofei back to her home. Suspecting the thugs' unusual motives, Xie Xiaofei expressed his desire to move out to avoid implicating Zhao Chenxi, but she insisted he stay, affirming their friendship.
Back home, Tian Tian called Tong Wei, sharing that she had seen Xie Xiaofei near their building, though he claimed he took the wrong bus. Tian Tian suspected he was merely acting with Zhao Chenxi, and Tong Wei confirmed her belief. However, Tong Wei explained her anger stemmed from his loss of conviction and will to fight, stating she disdained him for becoming a coward who bowed to reality.
She expressed that she would rather he genuinely fell in love with Zhao Chenxi and broke up with her than see him in his current dispirited state. Tian Tian countered that she would prefer her loved one to be a coward rather than be with another woman, to which Tong Wei remarked on Tian Tian's youth and asked her not to mention Xie Xiaofei again.
During a subsequent meeting with President Qu and General Manager Zhou, Tong Wei was asked about her decision regarding Xie Xiaofei. General Manager Zhou demanded she hand over Tommy Cai's photo and cease all "untimely activities." Tong Wei refused, stating she could not comply. She reminded them of her dedication to CAEA for many years, her refusal of other offers, and her pride in her work as a negotiator.
However, she expressed deep disappointment in the company's current demands, questioning when CAEA had become an accomplice to despicable means or a tool in business internal power struggles. President Qu and General Manager Zhou then offered her a guaranteed position at the U. S. headquarters, working with Jonathan to fulfill her long-held dream, if she handed over the photo. Tong Wei apologized, reiterating her refusal, and then tendered her resignation to General Manager Zhou, stating she would leave immediately.
After resigning, Tong Wei encountered Xie Xiaotian, who warned her about Xie Tiancheng's malicious nature and his anger towards anyone who opposed him. Tong Wei boldly told her to inform Xie Tiancheng that she had faced many bad people since childhood and was ready for him. Xie Xiaotian offered to intervene to help her stay, but Tong Wei asserted it was her own choice to leave, expressing her profound disappointment in CAEA.
Sun Hao, feeling uneasy about Xie Xiaofei’s situation, contacted Tian Tian to share what he had witnessed. Based on Tian Tian's reaction to the news, he misinterpreted their relationship as romantic rather than purely platonic, leading him to decide against actively pursuing Tian Tian.
