Negotiator Episode 38 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
After three days of self-imposed isolation without food or drink following the revelation about her parents, Tong Wei remained withdrawn in her room. Upon hearing the news, her uncle, aunt, and cousin Tong Tiantian rushed to her residence. Her aunt, distressed by Tong Wei's refusal to eat, pulled her out of the room and insisted she consume the porridge she’d made, genuinely worried for her.
She reminded Tong Wei of their love and care for her as she grew up over the past thirteen years, treating her like their own child. Tiantian, who previously disliked her, now regarded Tong Wei as a biological sister, echoing their concern. Tong Wei's uncle gently advised her that her current tearful state was probably not what her parents, in the afterlife, would wish to see, and that despite their confirmed mistakes, they were not entirely bad people.
Touched by their sincere support, Tong Wei broke down in tears, accepting their comfort and starting to recover. Once Tong Wei began to improve, Xia Shanshan visited her again. Tong Wei finally opened up, apologizing for her hurtful words to Shanshan in the past and expressing understanding for Shanshan’s life choices. She acknowledged her gratitude for the love and help she received, which enabled her to stand strong again.
Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei’s resort project in Suzhou faced significant challenges when its loan application was rejected. Luo Bin informed him that the bank’s major client was Kovan, revealing that Song Yong was likely retaliating against Xie Xiaofei for publicly rejecting Zhao Chenxi. Zhao Chenxi confronted her father, Song Yong, urging him to cease his actions against Xie Xiaofei, who was already struggling.
Song Yong remained unyielding, asserting that Xie Xiaofei’s actions had not only insulted Zhao Chenxi but also dishonored the entire Kovan Group. He further pressured Zhao Chenxi to marry Yang Xiao, explaining that this would benefit Kovan's interests and remove any reason to target Xie Xiaofei. Realizing her father viewed her purely as a pawn in corporate strategy, Zhao Chenxi, with a heavy heart, agreed to marry Yang Xiao, hoping this sacrifice would compel her father to spare Xie Xiaofei.
Yang Xiao was ecstatic about her decision, but Zhao Chenxi felt no joy. Shortly after, the loan for Xie Xiaofei’s project was approved. Although pleased about the project’s progress, Xie Xiaofei was deeply saddened upon learning about Zhao Chenxi’s sacrifice. He contemplated intervening, but Luo Bin stopped him, explaining that his interference would only bring all harm and no benefit for Zhao Chenxi. Xie Xiaofei reluctantly accepted the situation, choosing not to disrupt Zhao Chenxi’s life further.
Soon after, Lei Xiong and Tommy Cai (who is also Cai Tianlan) arrived in Shanghai. Lei Xiong met Xie Xiaofei at a restaurant to discuss Xie Corporation's shares. Xie Xiaofei was surprised by their unexpected presence and quickly called Tong Wei. By the time Tong Wei arrived, their conversation was wrapping up. Tommy Cai, having been retired for many years, viewed the Xie family’s conflicts as internal strife and declined to get involved.
After Lei Xiong and Tommy Cai departed, Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei realized that Tommy Cai was, in fact, Cai Tianlan. Disheartened by Cai Tianlan's refusal to help, Xie Xiaofei expressed feeling the same profound disappointment Tong Wei had experienced after her own earlier setback. Tong Wei encouraged him, promising to stand by him as they sought a breakthrough together. In New York, Tong Wei, now working at CAEA headquarters, was tasked by Jonathan one morning to obtain dim sum.
When she presented a hamburger instead, explaining that the dim sum restaurant Guang Fu Lou viewed authentic dim sum as a lifestyle experience incompatible with delivery, Jonathan challenged her, stating she had 'failed' his 'case to negotiate.' Tong Wei countered that he was testing her skills, and by arranging a table at the restaurant and a car for him, she had successfully delivered the "authentic experience" he desired, thus 'succeeding' in the true spirit of the task.
Impressed by her eloquent and resourceful approach, Jonathan invited her to join him. Shortly after, her boss, Jonathan, sought her immediate help with a critical negotiation. A Chinese biotech company, Xin Long, had unexpectedly raised its price. Jonathan initially noticed Mr. Liu, the CEO, had upgraded his hotel suite from a three-star hotel to a presidential suite.
Tong Wei then discreetly checked with the hotel and discovered he had only booked the presidential suite for one night, switching to a standard room for most of his stay. Recognizing this as a bluff—an "empty city ruse" to project financial strength—Tong Wei advised Jonathan to accept the higher price, which would buy them time for a thorough background check. If her theory proved correct, they could then undercut the original price, forcing Xin Long to concede.
Jonathan, impressed by her quick thinking, agreed, remarking that he wouldn't get to see her cry after all. Around the same time, Shang Bichen received a phone call from her boss, Mr. Sun, inviting her to lunch. At the restaurant, she was introduced to Mr. Sun's nephew, Situ Zhigao, realizing it was a pre-arranged blind date, which made both of them slightly awkward. Later, Situ Zhigao contacted Shang Bichen and appeared at her home.
He confessed his feelings, explaining his modest income as a public interest lawyer and how many previous dates had ended once his financial situation was revealed. He praised Shang Bichen's non-materialistic nature and respect for his life choices, expressing certainty that she was the woman he had been searching for and asked her to be his girlfriend. Shang Bichen, however, politely declined, explaining that she already had feelings for someone else.
She elaborated that love wasn't about being outstanding, and having experienced the torment of unrequited love herself, she didn't want him to go through it. Despite her refusal, Situ Zhigao later returned to her door with all his personal documents—his ID, bank cards, residence booklet, driver's license, house key, and car key—declaring that he dated with the intention of marriage and would wait for her as long as she remained unmarried.
Back in New York, Xie Xiaofei asked Tong Wei to accompany him to a family gathering in Changdao on Friday. The timing clashed with an important negotiation at CAEA. Xie Xiaofei insisted it was crucial for their future as a couple, while her role as an assistant was less significant. Tong Wei, acknowledging the importance, requested leave from Jonathan, explaining she had personal matters to attend to. When pressed, she admitted she was meeting her boyfriend's family.
Jonathan, expressing his respect and desire for a daughter like her, understood her priorities and granted the leave, playfully noting he had lost a bet. As they prepared to leave, Xie Xiaofei reminded Tong Wei to focus on making a good impression on his family, not work. Tong Wei promised to spend the rest of her life making it up to him.
Upon their arrival at the Xie family residence in New York, a nervous Xie Xiaofei encouraged Tong Wei to be confident, assuring her she was the future lady of the house. Inside, Xie Xiaofei introduced Tong Wei to his father and third uncle, noting her position at CAEA New York headquarters.
He then attempted to make an important announcement about their engagement, but his father quickly interrupted, steering the conversation towards business matters and the recent scandal involving Xie Tian Cheng. Later, Xie Xiaofei's father requested a private conversation with Tong Wei. He candidly stated his disapproval of her engagement to Xie Xiaofei. Tong Wei, having anticipated this, calmly asserted that his opposition would not deter her. Xie Xiaofei’s father argued that her family background would bring problems to Xie Xiaofei.
Tong Wei countered that she understood his preference for a more advantageous match like Zhao Chenxi, but Xie Xiaofei had chosen her because he prioritized love over business gain, unlike his father. At this, Xie Xiaofei’s father revealed that he had investigated her family and found that her father had accepted bribes and tragically committed suicide, making her family "dishonorable."
He argued that her marriage into the Xie family would expose this past to the media, harming both her and the corporation's reputation, and urged her to leave Xie Xiaofei voluntarily. Tong Wei vehemently defended her deceased father, stating he had already paid the price for his mistakes and that Xie Xiaofei's father had no right to dishonor him. Just then, Xie Xiaofei entered the room.
His father immediately feigned a sudden illness, accusing Tong Wei of verbally attacking him with harsh words when he had only tried to discuss her father's background to help them. He then melodramatically blamed himself for losing Xie Xiaofei’s mother, manipulating Xie Xiaofei into feeling guilty and distressed. As Xie Xiaofei called for help, Tong Wei protested, insisting she was being falsely accused.
As Xie Xiaofei drove Tong Wei away, his father's aide confirmed that the doctor had followed instructions to exaggerate the severity of his condition. Xie Xiaofei's father rationalized his deception, stating he had no other choice to prevent a woman from an "indecent family" from destroying Xie Corporation. The doctor later informed Xie Xiaofei that his father had a serious heart condition and needed to avoid emotional stress and irritation.
Back in his father's room, Xie Xiaofei's father continued his facade, warning Xie Xiaofei to handle any matters involving Tong Wei's father with extreme caution, as her emotional responses could be damaging. Xie Xiaofei later tried to comfort a distraught Tong Wei, acknowledging her pain and sharing his own story about his biological father, a gambler whom he still considered a good father despite his flaws. He empathized deeply with her feelings for her father.
Tong Wei confided in Xie Xiaotian, Xie Xiaofei's brother, about his father's false accusation. Xie Xiaotian advised her to trust Xie Xiaofei. In a separate conversation, Lei Xiong spoke with Cai Tianlan about Xie Xiaofei. Cai Tianlan explained that while he initially had no specific expectations for Xie Xiaofei, he now regarded Tong Wei as a daughter.
Therefore, his decision to assist Xie Xiaofei would hinge on whether Xie Xiaofei was truly worthy of Tong Wei and capable of being responsible for her future. Soon after, Xie Xiaofei sought out Cai Tianlan, not to discuss Xie Corporation, but to ask for his help in fulfilling Tong Wei's dream of working with Jonathan at the New York headquarters.
Cai Tianlan questioned if Xie Xiaofei understood the implications of a long-distance relationship, but Xie Xiaofei affirmed his deep love for Tong Wei compelled him to help her achieve her aspirations. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Xie Xiaofei, recognizing it as Tong Wei, quickly hid.
Tong Wei had also come to meet Cai Tianlan, bringing Xie Xiaofei's eco-resort proposal to demonstrate that Xie Xiaofei was not the frivolous playboy he was perceived to be, and that she believed he could be a capable group heir. However, Cai Tianlan dismissed Xie Xiaofei as young and inexperienced, bluntly stating that he was unworthy of Tong Wei and would only cause her hardship.
Enraged from his hiding spot, Xie Xiaofei burst out, cursing Cai Tianlan a few times before preparing to leave with Tong Wei. Cai Tianlan then stopped them, proposing to help only one of them and asking them to decide who would receive his support.
Both Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei selflessly prioritized the other: Xie Xiaofei urged Cai Tianlan to help Tong Wei achieve her dreams, while Tong Wei declared she would not go to New York if Xie Corporation did not recover, thus rejecting his help. As they were about to decline his assistance entirely, Cai Tianlan smiled, revealing it had been a test.
He agreed to help both of them, wishing them success and expressing hope that they would not disappoint anyone's expectations. Meanwhile, Xia Shanshan, who was pregnant, called emergency services on her phone after falling at her home. Later, Xie Xiaofei called Tong Wei, asking about her whereabouts and why she hadn't answered her phone. Tong Wei apologized, stating she felt they both needed some time to calm down.
