Negotiator Episode 25 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
Distraught over Xie Xiaofei's disappearance, Tong Wei went to the police station. The officer informed her that she wasn't the first, as another young woman had inquired about the same person earlier. Meanwhile, Xia Shanshan approached Qin Tianyu, advising him to seize the opportunity of Xie Xiaofei's absence to pursue Tong Wei. Qin Tianyu later contacted Xie Xiaofei, and the two men met for tea. The atmosphere was strained.
Xie Xiaofei feigned indifference, claiming he had already broken up with Tong Wei and urging Qin Tianyu to pursue her. However, Qin Tianyu angrily presented photos of Xie Xiaofei and Zhao Chenxi. While Xie Xiaofei affirmed his innocence regarding Zhao Chenxi, he asked Qin Tianyu to lie to Tong Wei, telling her he was with Zhao Chenxi.
This act of self-sacrifice, where Xie Xiaofei was willing to abandon Tong Wei to spare her from suffering, deeply shocked Qin Tianyu, who had always viewed Xie Xiaofei as arrogant. Elsewhere, Yang Xiao visited Zhao Chenxi's mother with health supplements and revealed that Zhao Chenxi had brought Xie Xiaofei home to live with them.
Zhao Mother was furious about Zhao Chenxi associating with a disgraced Xie Xiaofei, expressing her desire for Zhao Chenxi to be with Yang Xiao, who genuinely loved her. Unbeknownst to them, Xie Xiaofei was hiding behind a staircase and overheard the entire conversation, sighing heavily with worry. Qin Tianyu then visited Tong Wei, informing her that Xie Xiaofei was living at Zhao Chenxi's house and showing her the photos.
Qin Tianyu stated unequivocally that Zhao Chenxi was clearly better positioned to help Xie Xiaofei rebuild his life than Tong Wei was. Around this time, Tong Tiantian also shared with Tong Wei the news she had heard from Sun Hao. Unable to bear Tong Wei's despondent state any longer, Tong Tiantian forcefully dragged her sister to Zhao Chenxi's house.
At the Song family residence, Xie Xiaofei was resolute in his decision to pack his bags and leave, wanting to avoid causing further trouble for Zhao Chenxi. However, Zhao Chenxi held him tightly, refusing to let him go. Just then, Tong Wei and Tong Tiantian burst into the house. Tong Tiantian loudly demanded Xie Xiaofei come out, forcing him and Zhao Chenxi downstairs. Tong Tiantian accused Xie Xiaofei of vanishing without a word.
Not to be outdone, Zhao Chenxi retorted, effectively issuing a notice for them to leave. Looking at Tong Wei, Xie Xiaofei declared that he had fallen in love with another woman. Enraged, Tong Tiantian rushed forward and pushed Xie Xiaofei. To avoid making a scene in someone else's home, Tong Wei pulled Xie Xiaofei outside for a private conversation. Tong Wei questioned him about moving out of Luo Bin's place, but Xie Xiaofei responded with hostility.
He claimed he was tired of the hard life filled with ridicule and cold stares, telling Tong Wei to stop clinging to him. For the sake of his last shred of dignity, Xie Xiaofei reiterated that he loved Zhao Chenxi. In response, Tong Wei slapped him across the face. After Tong Wei drove away, Xie Xiaofei apologized to Zhao Chenxi for using her feelings and then left her house.
Wandering aimlessly, Xie Xiaofei found himself by a lake in a park. He silently poured out his grievances to his deceased mother. As he paused by the water's edge, contemplating whether to end his life, a person suddenly emerged from the lake after a winter swim. Startled, Xie Xiaofei's suicidal thoughts vanished. Later, Tong Wei received a call from Tracy and immediately returned to CAEA.
Xie Xiaotian, representing the Xie Corporation, was in a meeting with Qu Zong and Zhou Zong. They demanded that Tong Wei hand over certain photos and cease all actions to help Xie Tianyou. To their surprise, Tong Wei firmly stated that she remained with CAEA because she valued her work.
However, she pointed out that Xie Tiancheng's unscrupulous methods in seizing control of the Xie Corporation were well-known, and the company's current actions effectively made them complicit and a tool in his schemes. Tong Wei not only rejected Xie Xiaotian's demands but also announced her intention to submit her resignation to the company. While Tong Wei was packing her belongings in her office, Xie Xiaotian sought her out to inquire about Xie Xiaofei's recent situation.
He thanked Tong Wei for having spoken up for him previously and warned her that Xie Tiancheng was not a good person. However, Tong Wei politely declined his offer of assistance, explaining that her decision to leave was due to her profound disappointment with CAEA. When Xia Shanshan learned of Tong Wei's impulsive resignation, she chided her for being foolish, not only for being abandoned by Xie Xiaofei but also for losing her job.
Tong Wei, however, was unfazed, calmly asserting that she was doing what she believed was right. She then asked Xia Shanshan if there was any news about Tommy Cai, to which Xia Shanshan looked at her in disbelief, amazed that Tong Wei still cared so much about the Xie family's affairs. Tong Wei remained steadfast in her commitment to Xie Tianyou. Similarly, in New York, Xie Tianyou sat by Xie Xiaofei's mother's bedside, speaking of the Chinese girl he admired.
Xie Tianyou saw reflections of himself and Xie Xiaofei's mother in Tong Wei, fearing that the children's relationship might repeat their past struggles. Xie Tiancheng, meanwhile, reduced the mother's treatment fees, replacing expensive imported medications with cheaper alternatives, which Xie Tianyou reluctantly accepted. Tong Wei returned to CAEA to hand over her work to her team and formally submitted her resignation letter.
Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei visited a pawn shop, selling all his valuable possessions, which yielded a substantial sum of money. Both seemed to be preparing for new chapters in their lives. Recalling Zhou Zong's words, Xie Xiaofei unknowingly walked to Tong Wei's building, where Tong Tiantian, returning home, spotted him. Tong Tiantian assumed he was there to apologize to Tong Wei, but Xie Xiaofei denied it.
That evening, Tong Wei informed her family about her resignation, explaining that she would need to find a new job before contributing to the month's living expenses. Her aunt grew suspicious, sensing that something had happened between Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei. Concerned that Tong Wei's resignation might be related to Xie Xiaofei, Tong Tiantian told her sister about seeing him earlier.
Tong Wei understood Tong Tiantian's implication that Xie Xiaofei didn't truly like Zhao Chenxi and was only putting on an act. What truly angered Tong Wei was Xie Xiaofei's transformation from an arrogant young master to a coward who succumbed to reality. The next day, Xie Xiaofei approached Tong Tiantian at her school, asking for help to win Tong Wei back.
He explained that his situation with Zhao Chenxi was a complete misunderstanding and declared, "In my heart, there's only Tong Wei. I only love her." He asked Tong Tiantian what Tong Wei liked and sought help finding temporary accommodation. Tong Tiantian found a two-bedroom apartment. While viewing it with Xie Xiaofei and Miss Sha, a potential roommate, Tong Tiantian tried to present Xie Xiaofei in a favorable light, leading Miss Sha to suspect he was Tong Wei's brother-in-law.
Tong Tiantian advised Xie Xiaofei to adopt a "domineering attitude" like a "Tibetan Mastiff" and overcome his lack of ambition. Xie Xiaofei agreed to the shared apartment. Later, Tong Tiantian told Tong Wei that Xie Xiaofei had sought her out for advice on reconciling. Tong Wei, though still hurt, gently cautioned Tong Tiantian not to be too harsh on him.
Tong Tiantian then played a trick, calling Tong Wei to inform her that Xie Xiaofei was in a serious car accident. Tong Wei rushed to the hospital in a panic, only to find Xie Xiaofei perfectly fine. He confessed it was a ploy to create an opportunity for her forgiveness. Though initially furious, Tong Wei was also relieved. Tong Tiantian encouraged Tong Wei to give him another chance, and Xie Xiaofei pleaded with Tong Wei to look after him.
Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei to his new rented room. He tearfully expressed his regret for the hurtful things he said at Zhao Chenxi's house. He confessed to contemplating suicide by a lake but was deterred by the cold water, which paradoxically gave him a new perspective on life's difficulties. He assured her he could embrace a simple life. Tong Wei, seeing his changed heart, agreed to forgive him.
As they spoke, they met his new roommate, Miss Shang, who happened to be Qin Tianyu's subordinate. Tong Wei, recognizing Miss Shang, instructed Xie Xiaofei to get along with her, noting that Miss Shang had feelings for Qin Tianyu, so it wouldn't be an issue between them. However, Qin Tianyu soon confronted Xie Xiaofei, thanking him sarcastically for making him appear despicable while Xie Xiaofei's relationship with Tong Wei was prospering.
Xie Xiaofei acknowledged he had fallen into Qin Tianyu's "trap," which Qin Tianyu admitted was orchestrated by him using the photos to break up Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei. Xie Xiaofei then swore he would never hurt Tong Wei again. Qin Tianyu defiantly stated that he would not give up on Tong Wei until she was married to Xie Xiaofei. That evening, a very drunk and despondent Qin Tianyu received a call from Tong Tiantian. She then found him, offered comfort, and suggested taking him to his "secret base."
