Negotiator Episode 35 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
Feeling a deep sadness after leaving Shan Shan's home, Tong Wei reflected on their long friendship, now fractured by a man. With nowhere else to go, she found Xie Xiaofei at a restaurant, feeling like a failure as those she loved seemed to be leaving her. Xie Xiaofei took Tong Wei home, where she would temporarily stay with him and Shang Bichen. They discovered Shang Bichen celebrating her birthday alone with a small cake.
To lift their spirits, Xie Xiaofei decided to cook for them. Shang Bichen, noticing Tong Wei's unhappiness, learned that Tong Wei had fallen out with a long-time friend. Shang Bichen kindly comforted her, offering her own friendship. Though the meal Xie Xiaofei prepared was simple—instant noodles and fruit salad—Tong Wei felt her wounded heart begin to heal, supported by friendship and love. The next day, everyone resumed their busy lives.
Xie Xiaofei met Luo Bin at his club, where he seriously proposed launching his eco-resort project. Luo Bin, willing to help despite potential risks, agreed to partner with him, trusting in Xie Xiaofei's vision. Xie Xiaofei specifically asked Luo Bin not to inform Zhao Chenxi about the project, as he no longer wished to owe her anything. Meanwhile, Tong Wei's uncle and aunt had moved back to their old, poorly maintained rural home, causing her aunt to complain incessantly.
Her uncle, however, was reluctant to revisit past events. They called Tiantian, urging her to come home for dinner, but she refused, citing the distance, which further upset her aunt. At Futong Law Firm, Qin Tianyu noticed Tong Wei's distraction during a meeting and spoke to her afterwards. Tong Wei revealed she had sold her house, a matter Qin Tianyu couldn't help with directly, so he gave her a day off to recover.
Tong Wei, leaving the office, found herself walking back to her old house, now undergoing renovations with construction materials piled outside. The sight of the changed home made her feel melancholy. Coincidentally, Tiantian was also there to retrieve some forgotten belongings. Tong Wei identified herself as the former owner to the renovation crew, allowing Tiantian to enter. Afterwards, Tong Wei and Tiantian went to a coffee shop.
Tiantian tried to encourage Tong Wei, reminding her of Xie Xiaofei's love and assuring her that together, they could work to buy the house back someday. Xie Xiaotian visited Tong Wei at Futong, sharing details about Xie's Corporation's current situation. Seizing the opportunity, Tong Wei invited Xie Xiaotian and Xie Xiaofei to dinner that evening, hoping to reconcile the brothers. Xie Xiaotian hesitated but arrived on time.
Xie Xiaofei initially ignored him, prompting Tong Wei to break the ice by mentioning how often Xie Xiaofei praised Xie Xiaotian to her. This opened up their conversation. Xie Xiaotian informed Xie Xiaofei that Xie's quarterly report was not good, and finding Tommy Cai could help them overthrow Xie Tiancheng. Tong Wei excused herself to the restroom, giving the brothers privacy.
Xie Xiaotian sincerely apologized for his past alliance with Xie Tiancheng, and Xie Xiaofei thanked him for remaining by their father's side for so long. Witnessing Xie Xiaofei's resilience in adversity, Xie Xiaotian's opinion of his brother changed, and he proposed they collaborate to defeat Xie Tiancheng and rectify his past mistakes. Seeing them reconcile brought Tong Wei the most genuine smile she had shown in days. Later, Xie Xiaotian dropped Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei home.
While Tong Wei was reading a magazine, Xie Xiaofei received a phone call from Luo Bin and purposefully moved to another room to answer it. Tong Wei, sensing something amiss, overheard parts of the conversation from the doorway and realized Xie Xiaofei had already begun the resort project. Xie Xiaofei later explained he had kept it secret out of fear of failure, but Tong Wei encouraged him, asserting that taking this step was already a significant success.
Tong Wei was contemplating her career path. Qin Tianyu, at Futong Law Firm, advised her to return to CAEA, acknowledging the past difficulties but reminding her that her dream was to work at the New York headquarters alongside her idol. He emphasized that only at CAEA could she find the key person to clear her father's name. Despite Tong Wei's diminished hopes regarding Cai Tian Lan, Qin Tianyu urged her not to give up.
Later, he officially approved her resignation from Futong Law Firm, expressing happiness for her and wishing her luck in fulfilling her dreams. Tong Wei thanked him, promising she would achieve them. Futong Law Firm, leveraging the success of the flash mob and Ye Pu collaboration, was featured in a financial channel interview, with Tong Wei, Qin Tianyu, and the firm's boss appearing on screen.
Xie Xiaofei saw the interview and called Tong Wei, teasing her about her appearance on camera and showing jealousy towards Qin Tianyu, yet also encouraging her to work harder, inspired by her success. Similarly, Tong Wei's former colleagues at CAEA also saw the interview and missed her, with Cui Xi suggesting they meet for dinner after work. Upon her return to CAEA, Tong Wei went to her old office, only to find it occupied by Manager Xiao.
A new intern, You You, unfamiliar with Tong Wei, initially tried to prevent her entry and even called security, describing her as a "strange woman." However, Tong Wei's former colleagues, Kiki and Jiang Ke, then burst out, revealing it was an elaborate welcome prank. They warmly embraced her, joking that they wouldn't "grow up" if she never came back. Manager Xiao Xiang, her old rival, greeted her, and Tong Wei playfully welcomed him to continue antagonizing her, which he denied.
Tong Wei thanked everyone, including President Zhou, for the touching welcome ceremony. President Zhou then offered her some time to adjust, but Tong Wei insisted she was ready to start immediately. President Zhou assigned her to represent the Shanghai branch at CAEA's annual meeting in Suzhou. Tong Wei initially suggested "Old Xiao" go instead, wanting to "lay low," but upon learning that Cai Tian Lan might also be in attendance, she accepted.
President Zhou cautioned that Cai Tian Lan was elusive but encouraged her to "try her luck." Tong Wei expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, knowing it was a chance to seek justice for her father. Later, Tong Wei met her old colleagues, including Kiki and Jiang Ke who had successfully become full-time employees, for dinner. They reminisced about old times and expressed their gratitude for Tong Wei's past guidance, delighted that she had returned to CAEA.
After dinner, Xie Xiaofei arrived on a bicycle to pick up Tong Wei. Jiang Ke playfully mocked his mode of transport, but Xie Xiaofei proudly declared it romantic. Tong Wei happily shared stories about her reunion with her colleagues. Xie Xiaofei then promised her a surprise when they got home. He showed her the first successfully restored old house in Suzhou, a testament to his efforts.
Tong Wei was immensely proud of his achievement, and Xie Xiaofei, reflecting on how far he had come, vowed to build a new business empire for Tong Wei and his family. As the CAEA annual meeting in Suzhou approached, Tong Wei found herself consumed by a past flashback of her childhood, where other children cruelly taunted her about her father, Tong Bo Xue, being an embezzler who committed suicide.
She remembered vehemently defending him, clinging to the belief that he was innocent, and her silent vow: "Dad, Mom, finally, the whole truth will be revealed." Before leaving, Tong Wei told Xie Xiaofei about her upcoming business trip, hoping to finally meet Cai Tian Lan. Xie Xiaofei was nervous for her, offering his prayers and promising to pick her up from the station when she returned.
Upon arriving in Suzhou, Tong Wei was greeted by Jia Jing Jing, a staff member. Jing Jing provided the schedule for the evening's dinner party. Tong Wei immediately inquired about President Cai, and Jing Jing confirmed his presence. Tong Wei urgently requested a private meeting with Chairman Cai, but Jing Jing explained it was difficult due to his brief stay and tight schedule, suggesting she send an email instead.
Meanwhile, Cai Tian Lan was escorted to a "Meditation Garden" where he met Mr. Lei, who expressed his admiration. Later, Xie Xiaofei called Tong Wei, anxious to know if she had met Cai Tian Lan. Tong Wei told him the banquet hadn't even started yet and she would leave it "up to the gods." Xie Xiaofei promised he was praying for her safety and would pick her up upon her return.
At the CAEA Annual Meeting, Jing Jing pointed out President Cai to Tong Wei. Director Qu later introduced them. Tong Wei greeted President Cai, who acknowledged her from CAEA's Shanghai branch, stating he had heard of her accomplishments even while being "cut off from the world." President Cai humbly credited her achievements to her own merit, saying his role was merely to "open up a path" for young people. Their conversation was briefly interrupted by another attendee.
Director Qu then excused Tong Wei to meet another negotiator. When Tong Wei returned to Director Qu, asking about President Cai, she was told he had left, feeling "a little unwell." Tong Wei then spotted President Cai departing the venue and rushed after him, calling his name. She caught up, explaining she had something important to discuss. He calmly told her to take her time.
Tong Wei, apologizing for her abruptness, then presented two old photos, asking if he remembered Tong Bo Xue and Hu Xiao Hui. Cai Tian Lan asked who she was, and Tong Wei identified herself as their daughter. Cai Tian Lan instantly recognized her, remarking that her speaking manner was uncannily like her father's. He apologized for not recognizing her earlier, recalling that her parents were close friends and if not for "the accident," he would have watched her grow up.
Tong Wei then asked if he was with her father the day he committed suicide and to tell her the full story of the incident. Cai Tian Lan initially suggested letting the past stay buried, but Tong Wei insisted she couldn't, as it had weighed on her for too long. She pleaded with him to tell her if her father truly accepted bribes, saying she wouldn't be able to move on otherwise.
After a moment of hesitation, Cai Tian Lan warned her the truth might be "difficult to bear." Tong Wei stated she was prepared to hear it. Cai Tian Lan began his account, explaining that Tong Wei's parents and he were all rare Chinese students at Stanford Business School, advised by the renowned Roger Tim.
Her father, Tong Bo Xue, insisted on returning to China to serve his country and care for his mother, despite the advice of classmates and teachers who felt it would hinder his career. Her mother, Hu Xiao Hui, unconditionally followed him back. After Tong Wei was born, her father started working for a foreign company, which offered seemingly lucrative salaries. However, Cai Tian Lan revealed that beneath the surface, Tong Bo Xue faced "hidden troubles."
He was intellectually brilliant but "ignorant of the world" and its "unwritten rules," his inflexibility offending many colleagues. This stifled his career, leading to him being "pushed out by everyone." Tong Wei questioned if this led to his suicide, but Cai Tian Lan clarified that her father was not that weak; "something forced him to a dead end." He recounted reuniting with Tong Bo Xue during a transnational negotiation, where they were business adversaries but maintained their private friendship.
During a reunion dinner, Tong Bo Xue confided in him about the "misconduct happening at work," expressing regret for not listening to Cai Tian Lan's advice against returning to China. He revealed plans to immigrate to the U. S. , shocking Cai Tian Lan. They "drank a lot" that night, and Hu Xiao Hui noted her husband hadn't been so happy in a long time. They even planned to take Tong Wei to Disneyland.
But the next day, things "changed so suddenly." Prosecutors arrived at the negotiation, accusing Tong Bo Xue of selling company trade secrets for "illegitimate gain." Hu Xiao Hui arrived distraught, clutching her husband's journal, admitting, "He really did wrong." Tong Wei, horrified, protested that it wasn't possible and there must be a misunderstanding. Cai Tian Lan calmed her and explained that the journal was her father's, detailing the problems he faced at the company.
He noted that Tong Bo Xue, once fortunate, achieved little in middle age and began to change, eventually recording his "first compromise"—accepting a bribe. Cai Tian Lan confirmed that her father indeed accepted a bribe of US$200,000 from Cai Tian Lan's company, an "astronomical amount" at the time, and recorded it all in his journal, creating "irrefutable evidence." Tong Wei struggled to understand why her father would change.
Cai Tian Lan explained Tong Bo Xue's internal conflict and wavering, influenced by his wife giving up her career for him, and by Tong Wei and her paternal grandmother. In a moment of weakness, he accepted the money. Tong Wei realized her father's diary she had found was missing pages; Cai Tian Lan confirmed Hu Xiao Hui had ripped them out in a panicked attempt to destroy the evidence and prevent her husband's arrest.
Cai Tian Lan recalled his own initial thought to help his former classmate, but both her parents "completely fell apart" when the police appeared. In a flashback, Tong Bo Xue, despondent, apologized to Hu Xiao Hui for letting down the family. Cai Tian Lan had contacted a lawyer, advising Tong Bo Xue to remain silent, but her father declared, "I'm ruined."
Later, during the chaos, news broke that "the customer in 711 jumped off the building," followed by Tong Bo Xue's suicide. Hu Xiao Hui, consumed by grief, cried out, asking why he had chosen such a foolish path instead of facing a few years in prison. Cai Tian Lan had tried to comfort her, reminding her of Tong Wei, who still needed her.
Tong Wei, now understanding the full truth, acknowledged that her father "really took the money that he wasn't supposed to take." Cai Tian Lan explained that while legally her father was wrong, life often presented helpless situations. He asked Tong Wei to understand and continue to love her father, expressing his own regret that if he had been "more careful," her mother wouldn't have followed her father to his tragic fate.
He apologized, but Tong Wei still felt it was her father's fault for doing "what he shouldn't have done." Tong Wei thanked Cai Tian Lan for finally giving her the answer she had sought for so long. She then decided to leave, declining his offer of a ride. Cai Tian Lan told her that she could always find "Uncle Cai" if she ever needed anything in the future.
Shortly after, Xie Xiaofei frantically called Tong Wei, asking if she was "all done." Tong Wei's responses were unclear, and the call disconnected. Xie Xiaofei then urgently called Cui Xi, demanding Tong Wei's hotel address and CAEA reception contacts in Suzhou. He quickly arrived at the hotel and met Jia Jing Jing, who confirmed Tong Wei had met "the President" but then lost contact with her.
Worried, Xie Xiaofei searched for Tong Wei, finding her passed out outside the hotel due to a severe cold. He carried her back to her room. When Tong Wei awoke, Xie Xiaofei told her the doctor said she had caught a bad cold and offered her something to drink. He asked what Cai Tian Lan had told her, and Tong Wei confirmed that her father had indeed received a bribe.
Xie Xiaofei gently told her not to dwell on it, reminding her that "no one is perfect." Tong Wei confessed that for thirteen years, her belief that her father was falsely accused and faced unmentionable difficulties was the "only force" that kept her going, driven by the desire to clear his name. Now, realizing she was wrong, she felt lost and didn't know what to do.
Tong Wei asked if he could understand her feelings, and Xie Xiaofei assured her that he did. Overwhelmed, Tong Wei expressed her desperate wish to go home. Xie Xiaofei tearfully promised to take her home, comforting her as she wept. Later, after informing Shang Bichen of the situation, Xie Xiaofei ensured Tong Wei rested well.
