Negotiator Episode 3 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
In New York, Tong Wei and a colleague recalled an earlier unpleasant encounter with Xie Xiaofei where they threw shoes at him. Tong Wei expressed surprise at his poor manners, and her colleague questioned her original impression of him. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei confided in his friend at a bar, lamenting his father's business projects and expressing a greater interest in his own Suzhou land development plan, valuing “feelings” over “profit.”
Back at CAEA, Tong Wei tasked her team, Jiang Ke and Kiki, with researching Xie Xiaofei. They discovered a year-old rumor involving him and a rising star, Song Ai Li. By analyzing a blurry photo, Jiang Ke deduced Xie Xiaofei’s height and the location of the bar, leading to the conclusion that despite his wealthy background, he frequented shabby bars, suggesting a rebellious nature. Tong Wei praised Jiang Ke's insight.
Tong Wei then spoke privately with Kiki, who admitted feeling stupid but loved the job. Tong Wei encouraged her to shed her “Lolita” image and develop independence, emphasizing the competitive nature of CAEA. Later, Tong Wei discussed Kiki with her boss, who surprisingly believed Kiki’s delicate nature could be a unique asset in negotiations, disarming others. The boss suggested they play "good cop, bad cop" to train Kiki.
Tong Wei then went to the airport to pick up Xie Xiaofei, only to learn from his assistant, Mr. Lin, that he had arrived days earlier. She asked to reschedule a meeting, but Mr. Lin continuously put her off. Tong Wei and her colleague were frustrated by Xie Xiaofei's lack of professionalism, fearing mockery from Xiao Xiang.
Across the city, Tong Tian Tian, Tong Wei's younger relative, was approached by her teacher to invite Tong Wei to speak at a university conference. Tian Tian, who had a strained relationship with Tong Wei, initially refused. Xiao Xiang, having heard that Tong Wei was repeatedly stood up by Xie Xiaofei, saw an opportunity to snatch the case. He subtly suggested to Tong Wei that he could take over the case to prevent CAEA from being disrespected.
Tong Wei, sensing his scheme, agreed to hand over the case if she couldn't secure a meeting with Xie Xiaofei by the next day. When Xie Xiaofei once again failed to show for a scheduled meeting, Tong Wei, exasperated but determined, went directly to his hotel. Mr. Lin informed her that Xie Xiaofei was out, but Tong Wei declared she would wait until he returned. Hours later, in the late evening, she finally encountered him.
To her surprise, Xie Xiaofei was the same arrogant man she had encountered in New York. Xie Xiaofei brought up the shoe-throwing incident, but Tong Wei swiftly steered the conversation to business, following him to his room to discuss work. He attempted to intimidate her by highlighting the impropriety of a woman being alone in a man’s hotel room late at night, but Tong Wei confidently dismissed his advances, asserting she had no fear.
She then took his passport, informed him that he was expected at a meeting at CAEA at 10 am the next morning, and walked out, leaving him fuming. The following morning, Xie Xiaofei arrived at CAEA, where he was intercepted in the elevator by Xiao Xiang, who tried to curry favor with him. Upon seeing Tong Wei, Xie Xiaofei expressed skepticism about her team, which was comprised of newcomers.
He proposed a fair competition between Tong Wei’s Team A and Xiao Xiang’s Team B for the Xie Corporation and Kewan case. He presented the challenge: convince an elderly resident, Han Cuifen, who refused to move from a prime piece of land in Suzhou, within a week. Both Tong Wei and Xiao Xiang readily accepted the challenge. After the meeting, Tong Wei's team members, Jiang Ke and Kiki, expressed their annoyance at Xiao Xiang's manipulative tactics.
Tracy intervened, explaining that President Zhou's reputation would be at risk if Jiang Ke reported Xiao Xiang. Tong Wei saw the competition as an excellent opportunity for her new team members to prove themselves. Xiao Xiang, meanwhile, instructed his team to thoroughly research Han Cuifen, emphasizing that her refusal to move was unlikely to be purely about money and that they needed to uncover her true motivations.
In a separate meeting, Tong Wei reiterated a crucial negotiation principle to her team: "Never make the first offer," stressing the importance of understanding the opponent's bottom line first. Later that day, as Tong Wei was leaving work to meet a client, she encountered Xie Xiaofei in the underground parking lot.
He playfully probed about her personal life and type of man she liked, but Tong Wei calmly deflected his questions, asserting her role as a negotiator, not a conversationalist, and politely dismissed him from her car. After she drove off, Xie Xiaofei, smiling, declared Tong Wei to be "his type." Xiao Xiang and his team were the first to visit Han Cuifen's home.
They discovered she was reluctant to move because she had taken in a large number of stray cats, fearing they would become homeless. Xiao Xiang's team tried to entice her with a modern apartment that included a garden. Han Cuifen seemed unenthusiastic but said she would consider their offer. As they were leaving, they saw Kiki approaching and dismissed her as incompetent, unaware that Tong Wei had deliberately sent Kiki alone, trusting her ability.
Despite Han Cuifen's initial unwelcoming attitude, Kiki patiently explained the advantages of the rural housing option proposed by Team A. Separately, Zhao Chenxi received news that a minor celebrity caught for drug use had ties to her half-brother, Song Haojie. Zhao Chenxi was pleased by this development, fueled by her long-standing resentment toward her brother for opposing her in family and business matters. A week passed, and Han Cuifen agreed to move.
As Xiao Xiang's team began to celebrate, Xie Xiaofei announced that Tong Wei’s team was the winner. Team A had offered Han Cuifen a secluded rural residence, ensuring her cats would not disturb neighbors, and had also helped her set up online social media groups to gather support from cat lovers. This victory showcased the capability of Team A's new recruits. Xiao Xiang was furious about his loss.
A B-team member then reported seeing Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei exhibiting "intimate" behavior. Xiao Xiang, seizing on this, resolved to find evidence of a romantic relationship between Tong Wei and a client, planning to use CAEA's strict policy against such conduct to force Tong Wei to resign, just as Xia Shanshan had been compelled to do. Xie Xiaofei invited Tong Wei to dinner, ostensibly to thank her for resolving the Han Cuifen issue.
He insisted on driving his sports car, driving fast and erratically, causing Tong Wei to be jostled around. Annoyed, Tong Wei challenged him to switch seats, then impressed him with her skilled driving. She took him to a vegetarian restaurant, which initially displeased the young mogul. Tong Wei lightly teased him, suggesting vegetarian food was good for hot-tempered individuals. Xie Xiaofei, acknowledging her jab, comically took an effervescent tablet, claiming good health was paramount, which made Tong Wei laugh.
Seeing her smile, Xie Xiaofei's demeanor softened, and he complimented her on her beautiful smile. He then asked for her WeChat and scrolled through her social media, expressing the deep personal importance of the Han Cuifen project and sharing his business dreams. The initial tension between them eased, fostering a growing mutual understanding. As they dined, Qin Tianyu, who was also meeting a client at the same restaurant, observed them from a distance.
Later, at the gym with her best friend Xia Shanshan, Tong Wei was urged to consider Qin Tianyu as a potential partner. Tong Wei firmly stated that she only saw him as a friend and was holding out for a truly exceptional man to capture her interest. Meanwhile, Zhao Chenxi returned home, happy to see her busy father, though she understood his stress stemmed from her brother Song Haojie's issues.
She consoled him, and in return, her father entrusted her with full authority over the Xie Corporation and Kewan projects. Unbeknownst to Xie Xiaofei himself, Tong Wei’s presence was subtly influencing him. He reported his work progress to his father, visibly pleased when praised for his efforts. He found himself anticipating what new surprises Tong Wei might bring. The following morning, on his way to a meeting at CAEA, he spotted Tong Wei waiting for a taxi. Despite her initial refusal, he insisted she ride with him to work. As they chatted and entered the company building, their interaction was noted by colleagues from Team B.
