Negotiator Episode 4 Recap
> Negotiator Recap
Xiao Xiang's team, led by Manager Xiao, arrived at Han Cui Fen's house, whose land was crucial for Xie Corporation's development. His assistant explained that Granny Han refused to move because she fostered many stray cats and feared for their well-being if she left. Manager Xiao emphasized the urgency of persuading her within a week, hoping to win the Ke Wan negotiation and prevent President Zhou from playing favorites.
Granny Han, however, quickly saw through their facade of being an animal protection society, accusing them of trying to trick her into moving. Manager Xiao pressed, highlighting the inconvenience of her isolated living situation and the hardships her cats faced. He presented an offer: a ground-floor commercial property with a garden, reserved for three days, claiming he used his own money to secure it. Granny Han, though seemingly reluctant, said she would consider it and took the contract.
Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei, observing the situation, scoffed at Tong Wei for sending a new recruit, KiKi, alone, calling her an "idiot." When KiKi called Tong Wei, expressing fear and lack of negotiation experience, Tong Wei reassured her, encouraging her to believe in herself and remember the negotiation techniques she had been taught, framing it as a crucial test. KiKi then visited Granny Han, complimenting her adorable cats.
Granny Han, wary from previous encounters, immediately questioned if KiKi was also there to convince her to move. KiKi calmly stated she was there to help and presented an alternative: a house her manager had found, assuring Granny Han that the company would make arrangements for her cats. Granny Han became angry, pointing out that another colleague had offered her a prime location apartment, while KiKi was suggesting the countryside.
KiKi patiently explained the benefits of the rural house, offering a detailed explanation. The next morning, in a meeting, Tong Wei analyzed Ke Wan Corporation's situation, explaining that the company acquired land cheaply a decade ago but waited to develop it to leverage Xie Corporation's brand for a resort, which would boost surrounding property values. Xie Xiaofei, initially appearing irresponsible, impressed Tong Wei with his astute understanding.
Tong Wei then introduced Ke Wan's key personnel: project manager Yang Xiao, known for his strict professionalism, and Zhao Chenxi, President Song's daughter and Ke Wan's CFO. Simultaneously, at Ke Wan, Zhao Chenxi's half-brother, Song Haojie, unexpectedly interrupted their meeting about Xie Corporation. He angrily confronted Zhao Chenxi, believing she was responsible for his removal from the project. Yang Xiao intervened, firmly defending Zhao Chenxi, which further infuriated Song Haojie, who then stormed out.
Separately, Qin Tianyu, still curious about Tong Wei after seeing her with another man, visited her sister, Tong Tiantian, to discreetly inquire about Tong Wei's romantic prospects. Despite his usually confident demeanor, Qin Tianyu appeared hesitant. Tong Tiantian frankly told him that no one was worthy of Tong Wei except him and urged him to pursue her. Encouraged by this, Qin Tianyu resolved to actively woo Tong Wei.
Later, a phone call confirmed that Granny Han had agreed to move out. In the meeting to announce the winner, Xie Xiaofei declared Tong Wei's team victorious, much to Xiao Xiang's dismay. Xiao Xiang accused them of making a mistake, but KiKi gratefully thanked Tong Wei for her trust, while Tong Wei praised KiKi's performance. Xiao Xiang, still unconvinced, argued that his team had offered very generous terms and implied foul play.
Xie Xiaofei intervened, explaining that the most crucial aspect of negotiation is understanding your opponent. He pointed out that while Xiao Xiang's offer of a ground-floor apartment seemed generous, it failed to consider Granny Han's core concern: her numerous cats and the potential conflicts with neighbors in a residential area. Tong Wei's team, on the other hand, proposed a private, single-family dwelling in the countryside, spacious enough for Granny Han and her cats without disturbing anyone.
Additionally, they connected Granny Han with online social media groups to facilitate adoptions, donations, and volunteer help, easing her burden and ensuring the cats received better care. Xie Xiaofei highlighted that the shift in negotiation strategy, from conflict resolution to identifying common interests, was key to Tong Wei's team's success, despite KiKi's initial inexperience. Although still competitive, Xiao Xiang conceded, acknowledging the newcomers' quick improvement and expressing pride as an elder.
Tong Wei, addressing Xie Xiaofei, reinforced her team's efforts and proven capabilities despite their rookie status. Frustrated by his defeat, Xiao Xiang overheard a colleague mentioning that Xie Xiaofei and Tong Wei seemed intimately awkward in the elevator. Seizing this information, Xiao Xiang plotted to exploit CAEA's strict policy against employees having romantic relationships with clients.
He intended to turn Tong Wei into "the next Xia Shanshan," a former colleague who had to resign after dating a client, thus ending Tong Wei's career. After a strategy meeting, Xie Xiaofei requested Tong Wei's WeChat, which she provided. He then scrolled through her Moments, inquiring about "Jonathan," her idol and CAEA's chief negotiator, and commented that her idol must be very talented. Tong Wei, in turn, told him he looked skinny and should eat more.
Later that day, Qin Tianyu, still determined, arrived at Tong Wei's office with red roses, intending to ask her to dinner. Xie Xiaofei saw him and asked a colleague who he was. Xiao Xiang provocatively claimed Qin Tianyu was Tong Wei's boyfriend. Qin Tianyu invited Tong Wei to dinner, citing it as a thank you for her past assistance. Xie Xiaofei attempted to join them, but Qin Tianyu politely but firmly rejected him, then acted intimately before leaving.
Xie Xiaofei then intercepted Tong Wei, claiming urgent work related to American headquarters and insisting she stay, which Tong Wei, believing him, did, canceling her dinner with Qin Tianyu. Xie Xiaofei was secretly pleased. That evening, Xie Xiaofei invited Tong Wei to dinner, ostensibly to thank her for successfully handling Granny Han's case. Tong Wei initially tried to decline, suggesting they discuss work another time.
Xie Xiaofei playfully threatened to follow her home if she refused, reminding her of her own past persistence. He then insisted they discuss the project over dinner, prompting Tong Wei to agree. Xie Xiaofei first took Tong Wei to Luo Bin's club, having previously told Luo Bin he intended to "teach Tong Wei a lesson." He pressured her to drink strong alcohol and eat seafood, but Tong Wei, concerned about work, tried to keep the conversation professional.
She endured the discomfort until she felt nauseous and excused herself to the restroom. A waiter, delivering stomach medicine she had requested, inadvertently confirmed her genuine illness to Xie Xiaofei, who then, filled with concern, followed her out. Tong Wei, upset by his antics, sternly reminded him that they were professional partners, not friends, and he should focus on work rather than childish behavior.
Following this, as they were about to leave, Xie Xiaofei declared he "never rides in a car that a woman is driving." Tong Wei, amused, countered that she preferred women drivers. During the drive, Xie Xiaofei drove recklessly, making Tong Wei uncomfortable. She promptly took the wheel, driving with such skill that it impressed him. Tong Wei then took Xie Xiaofei to a vegetarian restaurant.
He complained about the lack of meat, but Tong Wei calmly suggested that vegetarian food was beneficial for those with bad tempers. Xie Xiaofei, sensing her playful jab, dramatically pulled out an effervescent tablet, claiming the importance of health. This action made Tong Wei smile, and Xie Xiaofei complimented her smile, noting that if she had smiled like that on their first encounter, he wouldn't have had to work so hard to pursue her.
Tong Wei retorted that she would have smiled if he hadn't been such a pain. Xie Xiaofei also shared that Granny Han's case was deeply tied to his business dream, a revelation that subtly deepened their understanding of each other. At the same vegetarian restaurant, Qin Tianyu was dining with a client, Mr. Huo, who praised Qin Tianyu's attentiveness, noting he knew about his vegetarian habits. Mr. Huo confirmed that Qin Tianyu's firm would handle all his corporation's legal matters.
Shang Bi Chen, a new hire at Qin Tianyu's law firm from the same alma mater, introduced herself, mentioning that her professor often spoke highly of him. As Qin Tianyu exited the restaurant, he noticed Tong Wei and Xie Xiaofei dining together by the window, which made him feel uneasy. Separately, Tong Wei discussed her romantic prospects with her best friend, Xia Shanshan, at the gym. Xia Shanshan urged Tong Wei to pursue Qin Tianyu, calling him a "diamond bachelor."
However, Tong Wei confessed she didn't have romantic feelings for him and valued their friendship. Xia Shanshan, concerned for 27-year-old Tong Wei's single status, was met with Tong Wei's half-joking, half-serious assertion that she was too talented, fluent in four languages, and proficient in commercial trade, finance, law, and psychology. She confidently declared that no man on Earth was worthy of her yet and she was waiting for someone truly exceptional to conquer her.
Xia Shanshan playfully threatened to slap her for her conceit but acknowledged her strong belief in herself, and Tong Wei added that she needed to be strong and impenetrable, confident that a man capable of taming her would eventually appear. Meanwhile, Zhao Chenxi returned home to find her father, Chairman Song, had come back, much to her mother's delight. At dinner, her father questioned her about Song Haojie's recent scandal, expressing his embarrassment.
Her mother reassured him that he still had a daughter to be proud of. Zhao Chenxi consoled her father, and he decided to entrust her with full control of the Xie Corporation project, citing Song Haojie's shameful behavior. Zhao Chenxi accepted the responsibility, pledging her best efforts, with her mother offering steadfast support. Later, Xie Xiaofei called his father to report on his work, confidently announcing he had secured the Suzhou land.
His father praised his efforts, and Xie Xiaofei, visibly pleased, expressed his readiness to immediately move forward with his business plan. His father advised him to prioritize the Ke Wan collaboration but also requested a detailed proposal for the Suzhou project to present to the Board. Xie Xiaofei assured his father he could handle both and defiantly told him to inform the "old codger" that he would make it work.
After the call, Xie Xiaofei pondered, wondering what "surprises" Tong Wei would bring him next. The next morning, Xie Xiaofei spotted Tong Wei waiting for a taxi, her rental car having broken down. He offered her a ride, and despite her initial refusal, he insisted, boasting about his unrivaled handsomeness. As they drove to work, they chatted about various topics, including Chinese food in New York's Chinatown.
That evening, Qin Tianyu received a call from his mother, urging him to bring a girlfriend home. This prompted him to drive to Tong Wei's apartment building. He found her still in stomach pain and, learning about Xie Xiaofei's bullying, took her to a local wonton stall, asking the owner to cook some homemade wontons he had brought. The owner, mistaking Tong Wei for his wife, accidentally called her "wife," revealing Qin Tianyu's deeper intentions.
Tong Wei understood his feelings but, not reciprocating, decided to carefully preserve their friendship by avoiding romantic topics. Meanwhile, Xie Xiaofei, feeling remorseful for his behavior, bought stomach medicine and went to Tong Wei's apartment. There, he saw Qin Tianyu dropping her off. Misinterpreting Tong Wei's pleasant demeanor with Qin Tianyu, Xie Xiaofei became enraged, believing she had faked her illness to go on a date.
In a fit of anger, he swallowed all the stomach medicine he had bought, defiantly declaring he wouldn't leave any for her. Xie Xiaofei suffered severe stomach issues all night from the medicine overdose. The next morning, he tried to text Tong Wei to take him to the hospital, only to find she had deleted him on WeChat. Frustrated and in pain, he called her.
While reaching for his ringing phone, he was distracted and an elderly man fell in front of his car. He answered Tong Wei's call and informed her about the accident, then went to assist the man. Tong Wei immediately called Qin Tianyu for legal assistance. At the hospital, Xie Xiaofei was visibly annoyed to see Tong Wei arrive with Qin Tianyu. He vehemently denied hitting the elderly man during discussions with the police and the man's relatives.
Tong Wei tried to speak with him privately, but he only reiterated his innocence. Qin Tianyu, seeking to resolve the situation quickly, offered a monetary settlement to the family. Xie Xiaofei, however, was furious at this approach, insisting on proving his innocence. Just then, the elderly man regained consciousness and, to everyone's surprise, thanked Xie Xiaofei.
He explained that he had high blood pressure and had simply fainted from forgetting his medication, falling in front of Xie Xiaofei's car, not being hit by it. Xie Xiaofei's name was cleared. Xie Xiaofei's temper quickly dissipated after Tong Wei apologized. He then remembered his own stomach pain and insisted Tong Wei accompany him to the doctor. The doctor informed him he had taken the wrong medicine, which made Tong Wei laugh. Embarrassed by his impulsive actions, Xie Xiaofei playfully blamed Tong Wei for his predicament.
