Nice to Meet You Episode 1 Recap
> Nice to Meet You Recap
The Rui Hua Jewelry 40th Anniversary celebration was also set to be Jocelyn and James's engagement ceremony. Dressed in a white gown, Jocelyn slowly walked towards James, believing that after overcoming countless hardships, she could finally become his bride. However, James's heart was in deep pain at that moment.
He formally requested the Board of Directors of Rui Hua to dismiss both the General Manager of Rui Hua Gold Jewelry Group, Mu Ziyun, and the Chief Designer, Jocelyn, from their duties, alleging they had jeopardized the company's interests and requesting the rescission of their employment contracts. Mu Ziyun reacted with furious accusations, while Jocelyn, with tears in her eyes, couldn't understand James's actions.
James responded with a sneer, telling her there was no need to pretend to be intoxicated by love any longer, as the show was over for his ex-fiancée. In a fit of anger, Jocelyn splashed red wine on his face, demanding to know why he was humiliating her during their engagement. James held up the engagement ring and declared that her design, much like her as a person, made him feel hypocritical and nauseated.
He accused her of betraying Rui Hua, forsaking his grandmother's trust, and betraying their love. Jocelyn questioned why he hadn't asked her for an explanation, to which James retorted if he should have asked beforehand so she could prepare an even more elaborate scheme to deceive him, stating he understood her less and less and could no longer see her clearly. The ring was then thrown into the water, and Jocelyn collapsed to the floor in despair.
Eight months prior, a power struggle unfolded between Rui Hua Jewelry's partners, James and his cousin Yu Yi. While James engaged in strenuous rock climbing, Yu Yi presented his marketing plan during a company meeting. However, Yu Yi's "Plan A" was thwarted by Mu Ziyun, James's stepmother, whose alternative plan was approved by the chairman, leading to Yu Yi's disappointment.
Yu Yi contacted James, informing him that Mu Ziyun's considerable influence, stemming from the Gold Jewelry Group she controlled, meant their grandmother supported her. He suggested they implement "Plan B," where Yu Yi would contact Wu Xiaoci, and James would go to Southeast Asia to acquire "pigeon's blood" rubies and secure a mine contract. James surprised him by revealing he was already in Thailand.
James was in Thailand to bid on a "pigeon's blood" ruby, recognizing its exceptional quality and potential for new designs when paired with a ruby his company already owned. He was determined to win the blind auction, but another buyer aggressively raised the price. James instructed his assistant to counter, pushing the bid higher, despite the budget reaching its limit. His assistant urged him to stop, pointing out the other party was deliberately inflating the price.
Simultaneously, the rival bidder, intern designer Jocelyn, endured inappropriate comments from her superior, Director Zhou, about her conservative attire and work competence, while her supervisor, Si Cheng, defended her. In the end, Jocelyn's team won the ruby auction, and James lost. Director Zhou announced a celebration at the bar, insisting Jocelyn attend to represent Si Cheng, and again remarked on her need to change her outfit to better embody a "feminine female designer."
Si Cheng reiterated that the company did not dictate employee attire. Jocelyn, feeling uncomfortable at the bar with the boisterous atmosphere and Director Zhou's leering attention, put down her drink. At the bar, a game was underway to find a real diamond in a glass within ten seconds. After a challenger failed, some foreigners loudly proclaimed that Chinese people couldn't do it. Jocelyn, spurred by national pride, walked onto the stage.
She expertly identified the genuine diamond and won, proudly announcing that Chinese people were indeed experts with diamonds. James, who had been observing from an upper floor, watched her with an appreciative gaze. As Jocelyn left the bar, Director Zhou cornered her, offering to help her secure a spot in the Annual Ingenuity Designer Contest before trying to physically overpower her. Jocelyn screamed for help.
James, who had been on a call discussing a mine visit, rushed in and intervened, fiercely beating Director Zhou. After Director Zhou fled, James grabbed Jocelyn's hand and asked if she had used hand cream to aid in picking the diamond on stage, explaining that diamonds collect oil. Jocelyn readily admitted to it, pointing out no rule forbade it.
James’s friend then called out, jokingly mentioning a presidential suite and a king-sized bed for James, which made Jocelyn, feeling defensive, promptly run away. The following day, Director Zhou, seemingly retaliating, assigned Jocelyn to a dangerous mine area, despite Si Cheng’s strong objections regarding the instability in neighboring countries and the risks for a female employee.
Director Zhou framed it as a valuable opportunity for Jocelyn to gain experience in the operational workflow and double her internship points, implying he was doing it for her benefit and Si Cheng’s high regard for her. Jocelyn, aware that refusing might jeopardize her participation in the design competition and affect Si Cheng, agreed to go, assuring Si Cheng that it was only a two-day shift and she would be careful.
At the mine, conflict erupted between the mining company and local residents. Jocelyn found herself in danger and quickly had to flee under the protection of others. Later, James, traveling with his companion Barry, found Jocelyn unconscious by a river. Barry mentioned that the locals had kidnapped someone from the mining corps to use as leverage, and proposed handing Jocelyn over to them to secure their own escape.
Jocelyn, regaining consciousness and overhearing this, mistook James's intentions and pulled out a knife, warning him to stay away. James calmly told her that she had only overheard half their conversation and that their plan was to avoid the main mine by traversing the rainforest, staying the night, and reaching town by morning. He convinced her that he had no ill intentions and was trying to help her.
He then disarmed her, gently taking her knife, and offered to help reset her injured arm, which she initially refused. That night, in the rainforest, Barry offered Jocelyn beer, but she declined alcohol. James noted her persistent defensiveness, pointing out she refused his help with her arm and the beer, which could ward off the cold. He warned her not to complain later if her arm pain hindered their journey, as no one would carry her.
Jocelyn, realizing her predicament, eventually asked for his help with her arm. James, surprised by her sudden trust, suggested she drink some beer to numb the pain. As James worked on her arm, Jocelyn noticed a "Hai Feng Bookstore" logo on his arm. They discovered they were both from Shanghai, their shared hometown, which seemed to soften her demeanor. After James reset her arm, Jocelyn admitted it still hurt but felt better.
James then raised his beer, toasting to her courage, and Jocelyn took a sip, remarking on the strong taste. The next morning, despite her still-aching arm, Jocelyn pushed herself through the rainforest. They soon faced another life-threatening situation when a giant python aggressively pursued them. James quickly shielded Jocelyn, but Barry, in a moment of panic, drove off, abandoning them.
James cursed his "bastard" companion but continued to protect Jocelyn, helping her escape the python's grasp and free her foot from a trap. He questioned why she had tried to get him to leave earlier, and Jocelyn admitted she didn't want to drag others into her troubles. James noted her stubbornness and her tendency to think badly of everyone, but also acknowledged her underlying conscience.
Meanwhile, Si Cheng was informed by the local police that while other company staff had been safely evacuated, Jocelyn's whereabouts were unknown, and kidnapping by a local gang was not ruled out. He immediately called the Chinese Embassy for assistance. Back in the rainforest, James chose a steep and challenging path, but Jocelyn assured him she wouldn't hold him back.
James knelt to tie her shoelaces, playfully teasing that it was a proposal, a ritual in some places to ensure she couldn't run away. Jocelyn was momentarily flustered. James explained he was securing her laces to prevent falls on the difficult terrain, ensuring no weak points in her legs, especially with her injured arm. He offered her his hand for support as they continued.
Upon seeing a large "Tree of Life," James declared it an auspicious sign symbolizing hope, and promised Jocelyn he would definitely get her out of the rainforest. Jocelyn, moved by his words, gave him a leaf, thanking him for bringing her hope. James, ever the flirt, wondered if she intended to settle her gratitude with just a leaf, suggesting a date or dinner when they returned.
Jocelyn questioned his mood for a date given their dire circumstances, but James complimented her, seeing "the fire and luster of a polished gemstone" in her. He then led her forward, promising more places she would like. When they reached a body of water, James invited her to come down and clean up, assuring her there were no pythons or piranhas. Jocelyn, after all they had endured, told him that while she would be worried with anyone else, she now trusted him completely.
