Nice to Meet You Episode 38 Recap
> Nice to Meet You Recap
Rui Hua's Inlay Group holds a meeting with Wu Xiaoci from Cilian to discuss a mother-daughter joint signature series. Wu Xiaoci tells Yu Yi that Cilian is very demanding, and she only agreed to partner with Rui Hua because of her daughter, Gao Hui. Yu Zhi arrives late, and Yu Yi questions why he is there since it's an Inlay Group meeting.
Gao Hui quickly explains that she invited Yu Zhi to the discussion as she wants to explore different design styles, and since Yu Zhi has taken over the Plain Gold Group, he is more committed to innovation. Yu Zhi attempts to leave, but Wu Xiaoci encourages him to stay, asserting that all are part of Rui Hua. Yu Yi then discreetly warns Yu Zhi to be kinder to Gao Hui, so she doesn't become a victim in their brotherly rivalry.
Yu Zhi dismisses this, claiming there's no battle between them. Yu Yi suggests finding someone else to discuss publicity, but Yu Zhi insists he will personally handle the discussions with Wu Xiaoci. Gao Hui later tells Yu Zhi that her efforts are for her own career and Rui Hua's success. After the meeting, Yu Zhi invites Gao Hui and Yu Yi to dinner, but Yu Yi declines, stating he has to work overtime.
News later circulates that Cilian and Rui Hua are joining forces for a deep collaboration on a mother-daughter signature series. Meanwhile, Gao Jie applies for a graphic designer position at a gaming company. She reviews her resume, which highlights her past as a jewelry designer. The interviewer notes her good experience and portfolio but questions why she's no longer pursuing jewelry design.
Gao Jie explains that she once saw jewelry as pure and beautiful, capable of bringing stability and happiness, but due to personal reasons, she wants to explore other design areas. She mentions taking a game design class in college and her strong interest. To assess her graphic design skills, the interviewer asks her to draw a comic on the spot.
As Gao Jie picks up the pen, her hand trembles, and she's haunted by Yu Zhi's cutting words: "Gao Jie, your designs are just like you; hypocritical and disgusting." She is unable to draw, fearing she has lost her design ability. Pan Yue innocently points out that her drawing doesn't look like a butterfly.
Gao Jie confesses to Pan Yue that she can no longer design, feeling her heart died the moment Yu Zhi rejected her and threw their rings away. She deeply regrets not telling him the truth earlier, realizing it is now too late. Gao Hai is desperately searching for Gao Jie and Pan Yue, causing Wu Xiaoci to express her displeasure, questioning if it's worth bothering so much over a "crazy woman."
Gao Hai dismisses her, saying he has no time to talk. He receives a call from Mu Ziyun and rushes to meet her, anxiously asking for Gao Jie and Pan Yue's address. Mu Ziyun, however, first presents Wu Xiaoci's award-winning design, a butterfly. Gao Hai recognizes it as the piece that won the competition. Mu Ziyun reveals that the design was copied from Pan Yue's work, and Gao Jie has known this for a long time.
Gao Hai claims he was unaware of the plagiarism before the competition, only finding out when it was too late. Mu Ziyun offers him Gao Jie's address if he fully explains the events, suggesting she might even speak on his behalf to Gao Jie. Gao Hai confesses that Wu Xiaoci had asked him to bring Pan Yue's work merely for "inspiration" but then completely plagiarized it.
He recounts Wu Xiaoci's dismissive attitude about Pan Yue's designs never gaining recognition without her, and how she quickly shifted his focus to their wedding preparations. Feeling helpless, Gao Hai never brought up the issue again. Si Cheng holds a meeting at Shui Zhiyao, stressing the importance of winning Lei Xiangdong's ParaÃba Tourmaline design bid for the studio's recognition. He asks He Wenwen to gather all existing design drafts.
During the meeting, Si Cheng receives a call confirming Gao Jie has been located. He promptly goes to see Gao Jie, finding her looking haggard. He shares that his design studio is doing well, having recently secured a large order, and offers her a job. Gao Jie explains she cannot accept, as she can no longer design; her hand trembles when she picks up a pen, preventing her from drawing even a single line.
Si Cheng reassures her that losing her design ability is temporary, a reaction to trauma, and urges her not to give up. He emphasizes that with Pan Yue's condition, Gao Jie needs a stable job. Gao Jie thanks him but insists she must first find someone to care for Pan Yue. At Rui Hua, Yu Zhi tries to convince a long-serving Sales Director to reconsider his resignation from the Plain Gold Group.
Yu Zhi praises his contributions to Rui Hua's success and acknowledges the group's current stagnation. He outlines his plans for bold expansion and innovation, promising the director authority and challenging opportunities. However, the director has made up his mind and apologizes, stating he has no more room to feel challenged within the Plain Gold Group.
Later, Yu Zhi confides in his grandmother at the park, revealing that nine people, including managers and a director, have resigned from the Plain Gold Group since he took over. He attributes this to their loyalty to Mu Ziyun and their distrust of him. He mentions that finding a suitable sales director is particularly challenging. Si Cheng visits Gao Jie again, bringing good news.
He has found an honest and reliable caregiver for Pan Yue, secured at a discounted rate through a friend. This gesture deeply moves Gao Jie. Si Cheng then takes Gao Jie to Shui Zhiyao. He Wenwen is visibly surprised and uncomfortable upon seeing Gao Jie and learning from Si Cheng that Gao Jie is officially joining the studio.
Si Cheng explains to Gao Jie that while she may not be able to design immediately, her knowledge of jewelry is invaluable, and she would serve as a senior consultant, an invaluable asset to the studio. He Wenwen then presents her compiled past designs, which Si Cheng praises as "clean but elegant" and suitable for President Lei's consideration for the ParaÃba Tourmaline bid.
Meanwhile, Chen Pinzhen confronts Yu Zhi, accusing him of being a "bad person" and wanting to witness his downfall. Yu Zhi calmly retorts that she will instead see him build a tall building and host a banquet. On the road, Gao Jie's car passes Yu Zhi's, but neither notices the other.
Later, Chen Pinzhen finds Gao Jie at the Custom Order Group entrance and expresses immense relief, mentioning how worried she and Gao Hai had been, having searched all the nursing homes for her. She criticizes Yu Zhi as an "ungrateful heartbreaker" and considers Gao Jie lucky to be free of him. Back at Shui Zhiyao, Gao Jie is attempting to draw, but her hand still shakes.
Si Cheng advises her to take her time, noting that her current obstacle is emotional, not physical. He asks her to accompany him to the Lei Xiangdong bid, much to He Wenwen's displeasure. The next day, Si Cheng and Gao Jie meet Lei Xiangdong. Lei Xiangdong recalls meeting Gao Jie in Southeast Asia. Gao Jie impresses him by identifying his emerald as likely fake.
Lei Xiangdong, intrigued, reveals a rare tourmaline from his safe, expressing appreciation for Gao Jie's astute observation and deciding to collaborate with Shui Zhiyao. Gao Jie internally notes Lei Xiangdong's cautious nature, anticipating high demands. Lei Xiangdong tasks Shui Zhiyao with designing the tourmaline into a piece for an international award, aiming to showcase Chinese design. Si Cheng presents He Wenwen's design, which Lei Xiangdong finds ordinary.
Gao Jie then articulates the type of design Lei Xiangdong desires – noble, distant, and unforgettable – leading Lei Xiangdong to appoint her as the lead designer for the project. As Gao Jie and Si Cheng leave, they unexpectedly encounter Yu Zhi and Gao Hui. Gao Hui immediately links arms with Yu Zhi, but he roughly pulls away. Yu Zhi, who had briefly walked ahead, turns back and pulls Gao Jie aside, demanding to know why she is there.
He sternly warns her to stay out of his sight, even accusing her and Si Cheng of being accomplices. Gao Jie, though tearful, doesn't argue and turns to leave with a dignified air. Yu Zhi composes himself and proceeds to meet Lei Xiangdong, proposing a deeper collaboration, which Lei Xiangdong surprisingly accepts. Back at Shui Zhiyao, He Wenwen confidently declares she can secure the contract within three days.
Gao Jie, however, suggests that Lei Xiangdong might be conflicted, perhaps interested in European styles to align with international trends, but truly favors Chinese aesthetics. Si Cheng agrees that a mere imitation of Western styles might not win the bid. They decide that Gao Jie will articulate the design concepts while Si Cheng will draw, a move that silences a disdainful He Wenwen but intensifies her resentment towards Gao Jie.
Yu Zhi expresses his confusion to Yu Yi about why he would assign Director Ma from the Inlay Group to him as the new sales director for Plain Gold. Yu Yi responds sarcastically, questioning Yu Zhi's trust. Yu Zhi eventually agrees to the arrangement. Later, Yu Yi meets discreetly with the former sales director of the Plain Gold Group, hinting at a secret understanding between them. Gao Jie and Si Cheng present their design draft, which incorporates Chinese aesthetics, to Lei Xiangdong, but he appears displeased with their approach.
