Something Just Like This Episode 11 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Qian Xixi, Su Su, and Mr Five embarked on a search for leftover stock in various warehouses, hoping to modify and sell new products since the company lacked inventory. However, their efforts were largely unfruitful; two out of three warehouses denied them entry, citing restrictions from brand owners, preventing them from even viewing the goods. The items they did manage to inspect were made of unacceptable fabric.
Qian Xixi firmly stated that they could not sell inferior goods, as it would inevitably lead to high return rates, customer dissatisfaction, and a damaged reputation. She expressed frustration over the loss of their reliable supply chain to Chen Lang and the ongoing difficulty in securing top broadcaster Yuan Yuan, acknowledging the urgent need for an alternative solution for product sourcing.
Meanwhile, Qian Xixi received a phone call from the Municipal Office regarding noise complaints from neighbors about her old house's tenant. Rushing home, she felt a pang of nostalgia, recalling her childhood memories in the house with her late mother. Upon entering, she heard a loud grinding sound from upstairs. Her tenant, Xiao Bai, a food engineer in her senior year of university, was operating a coffee grinder.
Xiao Bai explained she was devoted to her dream of researching and developing various delicious bulletproof coffees for her idol. She proudly introduced her "Yuanbaobao Bulletproof Coffee," explaining that it originated as an energy drink in Silicon Valley, known for being filling and refreshing, popular among fitness enthusiasts. Xiao Bai elaborated that her formula, which precisely calculated the ratios of butter, coconut oil, and coffee, resulted in a unique, mellow, and satisfying drink.
After tasting it, Qian Xixi was impressed by its distinct flavor. Xiao Bai confirmed that all necessary business licenses were obtained, and she had a contract with a bottling company; her only hurdle was marketing the product. Recognizing this as a stroke of "greatest fate," Qian Xixi immediately saw an opportunity for collaboration and live stream sales.
Concurrently, Duan Ran and Zhang Jiayun finalized their selection of new broadcasters, including Mei Li and Little Yellow Duck, the latter particularly appealing for her youthful energy that fit a desired demographic. Despite this success, the scarcity of product sources remained a critical challenge, with only about a hundred leftover items secured—insufficient for even one live stream. Duan Ran, however, assured the team that he was actively addressing the supply issue.
Back at the office, Qian Xixi presented her "Yuanbaobao Bulletproof Coffee" as a viable product. Duan Ran, however, scoffed at the idea, calling it a low-end product with a negligible profit margin, arguing that it couldn't cover operational, labor, and logistics costs, unlike apparel which offered a 30% profit. Qian Xixi countered that Chen Lang controlled all reliable apparel brands, leaving them with few options, and that selling a unique product like coffee was essential for survival.
Duan Ran retorted by questioning her competence as CEO, sarcastically suggesting she might as well sell baked potatoes if she only planned to "flap her mouth." Undeterred, Qian Xixi then presented her detailed cost and profit calculations for the coffee to Yu Shi, emphasizing its significant potential despite a low unit price.
Yu Shi, after reviewing the figures, confirmed that the coffee indeed had a substantial profit margin, potentially over 50% after operating expenses, and agreed its potential was enormous with optimized packaging, logistics, and sales. He promised to verify the data with suppliers for accurate figures. Later, Qian Xixi overheard Duan Ran requesting 1,000 yuan for client entertainment.
She initially told him to pay out of pocket, but Duan Ran insisted he had returned all his bank and credit cards to his father to prove his independence, making him financially constrained. He explained the funds were for securing the Pineapple Xpress deal, which he deemed far more productive than selling coffee. Reluctantly, Qian Xixi approved the 1,000 yuan.
Duan Ran, complaining about Qian Xixi's stinginess and her new rule requiring a thumbprint for expenses over 100 yuan, then saw Yu Shi engrossed in calculating coffee profits. Learning that coffee's overall profit margin was "really higher than apparel," Duan Ran’s opposition softened, conceding that "selling coffee is better than sitting and doing nothing." Duan Ran then met with Mr Wu of Pineapple Xpress, initiating a conversation about their business.
Mr Wu, while appreciative of Rui's past successes, stated he had already signed the next season's contract with Chen Lang. Duan Ran clarified he wasn't there to steal contracts, but to address a "small problem" he observed: Perfect Blue's consistent practice of copying Pineapple Xpress's designs and underselling them, achieving higher sales.
Duan Ran argued that despite Mr Wu's disdain for Perfect Blue as a "thief's den" selling "low-end goods," sales were the "only criterion for success" for a young apparel brand. He suggested that Mr Wu was being constantly "pressed and beaten" by them. Duan Ran then proposed a solution to enhance Pineapple Xpress's brand image: a celebrity endorsement.
He suggested securing a "top star with the most fans," Jiang Zheyang, to interact with their broadcasters in a live stream, thereby converting his fanbase into customers. Mr Wu admitted that Jiang Zheyang was already their target but revealed the difficulty in dealing with his agent, Ouyang Meixuan, who had dismissed Pineapple Xpress as "too low-end." Duan Ran, admitting to being "a little acquainted" with Ouyang Meixuan, offered to secure Jiang Zheyang.
In exchange, he negotiated a deal for Rui to handle all of Pineapple Xpress's projects for the next three seasons, to which Mr Wu agreed. Back at Qian Xixi’s old house, she continued discussing the coffee with Xiao Bai, learning about optimal storage and consumption timelines. Xiao Bai excitedly revealed that her passion for coffee was inspired by her idol, "the dreamboat, Jiang Zheyang," showing Qian Xixi his picture.
Qian Xixi found Jiang Zheyang unusually familiar and inquired if he had ever changed his name. Xiao Bai, a dedicated fan, confirmed that he had, revealing his old name as "Jiang Jin Suo" and sharing details of his "dark past." Qian Xixi was astonished, realizing Jiang Jin Suo was her elementary school classmate and former seatmate, whom they both used to tease.
Although she no longer had contact information, she promised to help Xiao Bai meet her idol, delighting the young fan. To further the deal with Pineapple Xpress, Duan Ran purchased first-class tickets for himself and Yu Shi on a flight to Beijing, explaining to a concerned Yu Shi that a "very important person" was on board. During the flight, they "accidentally" encountered Ouyang Meixuan, Jiang Zheyang’s agent and Duan Ran’s former classmate.
Duan Ran introduced Ouyang to Yu Shi as his former classmate, and Yu Shi greeted Jiang Zheyang’s mother, who was also traveling with them. Duan Ran then discreetly observed Ouyang and Jiang Zheyang’s mother in a heated argument.
The mother criticized Ouyang’s handling of a recent "fan incident," believing Jiang Zheyang should not have apologized, while Ouyang argued their side had "crossed the line" first and an apology was necessary to prevent escalation, also chastising the mother for intervening in fan chat rooms. After the flight, Ouyang invited Duan Ran to dinner, which he accepted.
Yu Shi expressed frustration over the expensive tickets and Ouyang's apparent lack of assistance, but Duan Ran pointed out that Jiang Zheyang’s career decisions were controlled by his mother and agent. Therefore, Duan Ran concluded that approaching Jiang Zheyang’s mother was his most viable strategy. Returning to the office, Yu Shi attempted to get Qian Xixi to sign the reimbursement forms for their Beijing trip.
Qian Xixi, seeing the first-class tickets, was furious, especially after authorizing only 1,000 yuan for Duan Ran. She demanded an explanation. Yu Shi, under pressure, confessed they met Mr Wu from Pineapple Xpress to discuss future collaborations and that Duan Ran claimed to have "connections" to secure Jiang Zheyang. Yu Shi then reluctantly revealed that Ouyang, Jiang Zheyang’s agent, was Duan Ran’s ex-girlfriend, and that Duan Ran had orchestrated the first-class "accidental" encounter.
Incensed, Qian Xixi confronted Duan Ran in the pantry, where he was cooking noodles, accusing him of misusing company funds for a personal rendezvous with his ex-girlfriend shortly after they had secured capital. Duan Ran lightheartedly dismissed her anger as jealousy, promising to earn back "double" the money spent, asserting that the meeting with Ouyang was purely for work.
He then revealed that Mr Wu had promised Rui all future Pineapple Xpress projects if Duan Ran could secure Jiang Zheyang as their endorser. Upon hearing this strategic revelation, Qian Xixi’s anger dissipated, and she finally paid attention to the noodles Duan Ran was preparing.
