Negotiator Episode 29 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
At Futong Law Firm, colleagues were quietly discussing the new legal consultant Tong Wei. Sister Wen, who was privy to information, informed everyone that Tong Wei was a formidable professional, not only exceptionally capable but also Lawyer Qin's (Qin Tianyu's) 'goddess'. Xie Xiaofei also learned from Shang Bichen that Tong Wei's position was reserved for industry experts, leading him to reflect on his current situation as a mere delivery person and feel a sense of inferiority.
Soon after, Shang Bichen's mother arrived in Shanghai from her hometown and came to the law firm during work hours, eager to meet Bichen's alleged boyfriend. In a desperate situation, Bichen intercepted her mother before she could confront Qin Tianyu, quickly explaining her predicament and begging him to pretend to be her boyfriend. Qin Tianyu reluctantly agreed. During their conversation, Shang Bichen's mother immediately questioned Qin Tianyu about their wedding plans, eager for them to marry soon.
Qin Tianyu skillfully answered her tricky questions, which gradually eased her mother's demeanor. Qin Tianyu then drove Bichen and her mother downstairs to their apartment building, where they coincidentally encountered Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei. Seeing Tong Wei, Qin Tianyu appeared awkward, pulled his hand away from Bichen, which raised Bichen’s mother’s suspicions. He quickly offered to help with luggage, escorting Bichen’s mother upstairs first.
Shang Bichen seized the opportunity to explain the situation to Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei, asking for their help in maintaining the deception. Upstairs, Bichen’s mother was extremely displeased to learn Bichen was cohabiting with Xie Xiaofei. Thanks to the persuasion of Tong Wei and Qin Tianyu, she somewhat relented. However, from her apartment window, Bichen’s mother later saw Qin Tianyu opening the car door for Tong Wei, which further fueled her suspicion that their relationship was more than professional.
She immediately expressed her doubts to Bichen, urging her daughter to make Qin Tianyu publicly confirm their relationship. Bichen, using many persuasive words, managed to calm her mother down. The next morning, Shang Bichen's mother dropped her off at the company and then sat in the law firm's lobby. Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei met with the CEO of Yep. Tong Wei offered the CEO a solution to establish a startup fund after layoffs, easing the pressure and preventing resentment.
As Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei escorted the CEO downstairs, Shang Bichen's mother observed them from the lobby. Seeing them appear somewhat intimate, she became even more convinced there was a relationship between them. Meanwhile, at Haoke Restaurant, Sun Hao and Tiantian, celebrating their one-month anniversary, encountered Xie Xiaofei who was working as a waiter.
Tong Tiantian ruthlessly exposed Xie Xiaofei's lie to Tong Wei that he was a catering group manager, forcing him to admit he was a delivery person. Sun Hao spoke up for Xie Xiaofei, and to save face, Tiantian agreed not to expose his situation further, but also reminded him it wasn't a long-term solution.
Although initially struggling with his pride and feeling inferior, Xie Xiaofei had come to terms with doing grassroots work, realizing that not finding a job was the true failure. He aimed to regain Tong Wei's recognition through his own efforts, independent of others' help, having previously acknowledged his own lack of talent and purpose as the Xie family's young master. The next morning, at Haoke Restaurant, Xie Xiaofei received his paycheck.
He questioned his boss, who was also his uncle, about a deduction, which the boss explained was due to a late delivery. Their conversation was interrupted by an elderly woman accompanied by reporters. The woman enthusiastically identified Xie Xiaofei as the delivery driver who saved her life by calling an ambulance when she fainted. She expressed outrage that his boss had criticized him for this.
Faced with reporters, the boss quickly changed his tune, praising Xie Xiaofei as a "young, promising, upright, and honest young man" and announcing his promotion to Department Manager, claiming he had been planning it for days. Xie Xiaofei, now a manager, immediately called Tong Wei to share the exciting news. Subsequently, Luo Bin contacted Zhao Chenxi and specifically ordered takeout from Haoke Restaurant to let Zhao Chenxi know Xie Xiaofei's current situation.
Zhao Chenxi was astonished to see Xie Xiaofei delivering the food. Xie Xiaofei, however, calmly placed the takeout and asked them for a five-star review. Luo Bin stopped Xie Xiaofei, trying to persuade him to resign and join his company, but Xie Xiaofei refused. Zhao Chenxi felt sorry for him, believing his talent was being wasted. However, Xie Xiaofei again declined her good intentions, stating that while he once considered himself talented, he now realized he was useless.
Xie Xiaofei expressed his desire to regain Tong Wei's recognition through his own efforts, rather than relying on others' connections. Understanding she couldn't sway him, Zhao Chenxi then told Xie Xiaofei about Yang Xiao's confession, to which Xie Xiaofei merely offered a light-hearted blessing. After Xie Xiaofei left, Luo Bin informed Zhao Chenxi that he had investigated and discovered that Yang Xiao was solely responsible for Xie Xiaofei's current plight.
Zhao Chenxi immediately returned to her company and confronted Yang Xiao, questioning why he would go to such lengths to ruin Xie Xiaofei and force him into delivering takeout. Yang Xiao, acting as if he were defending Zhao Chenxi, argued that these were lessons Xie Xiaofei deserved. Zhao Chenxi was deeply disappointed by Yang Xiao's response. Separately, Zhao Chenxi's mother was pressuring her to accept Yang Xiao.
Yang Xiao had been coming to the house every day for five days, but Zhao Chenxi still refused to see him. Her mother acted as an intermediary, later telling Chenxi that while she had made an effort, she truly couldn't fall in love with Yang Xiao. Her mother asked if she was still thinking about Xie Xiaofei, which Chenxi confirmed. Her mother then revealed that Chenxi’s father knew about her and Yang Xiao.
She explained that Yang Xiao’s parents were biotechnology experts, and a union between the two families would greatly benefit her father’s upcoming venture into that industry. She insisted that being with Yang Xiao was the best choice for everyone involved. She then escorted a reluctant Zhao Chenxi outside to talk to Yang Xiao. Yang Xiao apologized, admitting it was his fault for being petty and asked for her forgiveness.
Later, at a Michelin-starred restaurant, Yang Xiao and Zhao Chenxi had dinner. Yang Xiao expressed his feeling that they were growing farther apart, even though she was his girlfriend. Zhao Chenxi claimed she was unwell and asked to be taken home. The gloomy, sunless Shanghai seemed to reflect the troubled minds of its inhabitants. Qin Tianyu saw that Shang Bichen had not yet left work, so he invited her for coffee to talk.
Qin Tianyu, living in a big city, couldn't understand the feudal ideas of small towns. Shang Bichen explained that in her hometown, expectations for women in the family far outweighed career aspirations; a degree from a prestigious school was for finding a good husband's family, not a good job. However, this was not the life Shang Bichen sought; she wanted to strive in the big city and become as excellent as Qin Tianyu and Tong Wei.
Qin Tianyu was moved by Bichen's determination and courage, and decided to continue helping her keep the secret from her mother, while also reminding her to prepare for the eventuality of her lie being exposed. When Qin Tianyu drove Shang Bichen home, her mother saw them from upstairs. As soon as Bichen entered, her mother eagerly asked about their progress.
Seeing Bichen stammer and unable to say anything, her mother decided to take matters into her own hands to push them along. Meanwhile, Tong Wei received a distressed phone call from her friend Shan Shan, who was crying. Shan Shan revealed that Lao Qi's ex-wife, Gong Qin, had visited her and demanded she abort their child, claiming Lao Qi didn't want it and wouldn't marry her.
Earlier, Gong Qin had confronted Lao Qi, telling him she would not approve of his marriage to Shan Shan and threatening his business if he went through with it. Lao Qi had tried to reassure Shan Shan on the phone, but he still asked for more time. Distraught, Shan Shan had collapsed. Tong Wei rushed to Shan Shan’s side, finding her with a high fever.
She immediately drove Shan Shan to the hospital, calling Xie Xiaofei for help along the way. At the hospital, doctors informed Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei that Shan Shan, four months pregnant, had a forty-degree fever of unknown origin and was emotionally unstable. They warned that they were not optimistic about the pregnancy continuing, stating there was a possibility of miscarriage, and even if not, the high fever could affect the fetus.
Xie Xiaofei stayed with Tong Wei at the hospital, suggesting she go home and rest, but she refused. He observed that Shan Shan's fever was likely due to emotional distress, emphasizing that she needed to overcome her inner demons. The next day, Shan Shan woke up feeling better and told Tong Wei about a vivid dream where she gave birth to a daughter who spoke words of comfort.
This dream solidified her decision to keep the child and break up with Lao Qi, whom she now saw as selfish. Shan Shan declared her intention to become a single mother, explaining that she could do anything for her child. Tong Wei pledged her unwavering support and jokingly reserved the position of godmother.
Back at Haoke Restaurant, Xie Xiaofei prepared a special "Xie Xiaofei’s Coconut Chicken" for Tong Wei, having given all his employees time off to book the entire restaurant for her. Tong Wei tasted the dish and expressed pride in him for everything he had achieved. Later, Zhao Chenxi texted Xie Xiaofei, asking if she could "dine and dash" since she hadn't eaten enough lunch. He welcomed her. Upon her arrival, Xie Xiaofei, now the manager, offered her a discount.
Zhao Chenxi was relieved to see him doing well, but she confessed that she had "accepted her fate" regarding her own situation. Xie Xiaofei then asked her to drive him somewhere.
