Something Just Like This Episode 14 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Perfect Blue officially signed a contract with Rui Live and Jiang Zheyang, securing Jiang Zheyang as the spokesperson for Perfect Blue. Duan Ran expressed his sincere gratitude to Ouyang Meixuan, acknowledging that her crucial tip on how to gain Jiang Zheyang’s mother’s approval was instrumental in securing the deal. Ouyang Meixuan suggested celebrating with dinner that evening, but Duan Ran, eager to share the good news with Qian Xixi, regretfully declined, much to Ouyang Meixuan’s disappointment.
She then reminded Duan Ran to finalize the workflow for Jiang Zheyang’s upcoming live stream and to collect self-introduction videos from all Rui broadcasters for initial screening. Duan Ran excitedly informed Qian Xixi about the Perfect Blue signing, desperately seeking a reward for his success. Qian Xixi playfully presented him with a prank chewing gum containing a fake cockroach, which startled him. Annoyed, Duan Ran confiscated the item.
Qian Xixi then mentioned she was renovating her old house because Yuanbao had moved out. Duan Ran, concerned, asked if she planned to move back, but Qian Xixi quickly clarified it was merely to increase the property’s rental value. Shortly after, Duan Ran tasked Qian Xixi to record a self-introduction video as an example for all Rui broadcasters.
He announced that five top broadcasters would be selected from the submitted videos, and Jiang Zheyang himself would choose one to co-host the live stream. While some assumed Qian Xixi, being Jiang Zheyang's classmate, would have an advantage, Duan Ran insisted on a fair and just selection process, even suggesting roles like event assistants or the mascot for those not chosen as co-hosts.
In recognition of his success, Qian Xixi officially promoted Duan Ran from intern to Project Manager, entrusting him with all Perfect Blue collaborations. Meanwhile, Duan Ran happened to overhear Qi Yuan Yuan desperately making phone calls, humbly pleading for acting roles, even minor ones without lines, but facing repeated rejections.
Seeing her struggle, Duan Ran approached her and offered her a compelling opportunity: to return to Rui Live and participate in the selection to partner with Jiang Zheyang, intending to make her a top broadcaster if she rejoined. The company buzzed with excitement as broadcasters, including Yuanbao and Xiaohuangya, began preparing their videos, some even researching Jiang Zheyang's preferences. Su Su even developed an algorithm for betting on the likely winner.
Qian Xixi, despite being a top contender in the internal predictions, felt uneasy about the undefined selection criteria. She directly questioned Duan Ran, but he refused to disclose them, claiming she wasn't a good match for Jiang Zheyang and that he was "protecting" her from potential disappointment. Qian Xixi, confident in her popularity, found his secrecy frustrating.
Duan Ran maintained his ambiguous stance, praising everyone's hard work (some with "dark circles under their eyes like pandas") and promising a "fair and just choice" from Jiang Zheyang, but still withholding the specific standards. Meanwhile, Duan Ran's fear of a hamster, a gift from Jiang Zheyang's fans, amused his colleagues. Qian Xixi later observed Duan Ran instructing Zhang Bin to discreetly mail a package.
Intercepting it, Qian Xixi discovered files containing only videos from five selected broadcasters, including Qi Yuan Yuan and four new faces. Realizing Duan Ran had secretly pre-selected Yuan Yuan, likely as a condition for her to re-sign with Rui, Qian Xixi was incensed by the unfairness. Asserting her role as CEO to ensure balance, she decided to counteract Duan Ran’s scheme by sending videos from "all fifty-plus" Rui broadcasters to Ouyang Meixuan, Jiang Zheyang's agent.
Ouyang Meixuan, surprised and annoyed by the deluge of over fifty videos, called Duan Ran to express her displeasure before deciding to visit Rui in person. Panicked, Duan Ran swiftly called Qi Yuan Yuan to the office and instructed Yu Shi to discretely assemble his five chosen candidates in a small meeting room. When Ouyang Meixuan arrived, she voiced her preference for a formal, press conference-style event for Jiang Zheyang, not a casual "internet celebrity" live stream.
Qian Xixi, witnessing this, pulled Duan Ran aside and directly accused him of pre-selecting Qi Yuan Yuan. Duan Ran admitted he had promised Yuan Yuan the co-hosting role to persuade her to re-sign, intending to groom her into a top broadcaster. Qian Xixi vehemently opposed this, arguing it was unfair to other broadcasters and detrimental to the company. Their argument was cut short by Qi Yuan Yuan's arrival, who, unaware of the tension, warmly embraced Qian Xixi.
Seizing the moment, Duan Ran quickly ushered Qi Yuan Yuan into the meeting to meet Ouyang Meixuan, disregarding Qian Xixi's objections. Outside, other broadcasters, observing Duan Ran's actions, pressed Qian Xixi for answers. A frustrated Su Su exposed Duan Ran's secret arrangement with Qi Yuan Yuan, revealing that the entire selection process had been a charade. The broadcasters were furious, demanding Qian Xixi, as CEO, address the injustice.
Qian Xixi, determined to rectify the situation, entered the meeting room, introduced herself to Ouyang Meixuan, and politely, but firmly, asked Duan Ran and Qi Yuan Yuan to leave so she could speak with Ouyang Meixuan alone. Before leaving, Ouyang Meixuan, seemingly to vex Qian Xixi, deliberately asked Duan Ran to fetch her favorite coffee and sandwiches, which he promptly agreed to.
Duan Ran then warned Qian Xixi not to interfere with his plan, but Qian Xixi firmly reminded him of her authority as CEO. Qian Xixi began by expressing Rui's honor in partnering with Ouyang Meixuan and Jiang Zheyang, and conveyed the immense enthusiasm of her broadcasters. She then proposed that Ouyang Meixuan personally interview every Rui broadcaster, ensuring a fair and just opportunity for all.
Ouyang Meixuan, however, promptly declared that Qian Xixi would be the first to be eliminated, citing her past "piggybacking" on Jiang Zheyang's popularity to sell coffee and demanding she refrain from appearing in any of Jiang Zheyang's future events. Qian Xixi, while acknowledging her past actions, pointed out that the incident also propelled Jiang Zheyang into a trending topic, suggesting this benefit was why Ouyang Meixuan was even speaking with her now.
Ultimately, Qian Xixi agreed to withdraw from the selection herself, provided Ouyang Meixuan granted all other Rui broadcasters a fair chance. Ouyang Meixuan, impressed by Qian Xixi's resolve, accepted the offer. Qian Xixi then announced to all broadcasters that Ouyang Meixuan would interview them one by one, urging them to prepare. She candidly told them she had been eliminated due to her past actions of leveraging Jiang Zheyang's popularity for sales, accepting it as a fair consequence.
Later, Qian Xixi privately spoke with Qi Yuan Yuan, explaining that despite Duan Ran's initial promise, as CEO, she had to ensure a fair and impartial selection for all. Qi Yuan Yuan expressed understanding and confidently stated that as long as the competition was fair, she was certain to win. As the interviews began, Ouyang Meixuan listened impassively.
Duan Ran, present during some of the interviews, continued to champion Qi Yuan Yuan, highlighting her past success as a top broadcaster and explaining his desire to re-sign her, promising to build her into a leading talent. He asserted that other broadcasters would readily accept losing to their experienced "senior." Meanwhile, the broadcasters presented their best, some like Yuanbao, expressing fervent admiration for Jiang Zheyang and his positive image, others discussing his public persona and preferred partner type.
Ouyang Meixuan shrewdly questioned how this "public persona" knowledge would translate to a live stream focused on selling goods. The interviews then progressed to a second round, requiring product demonstrations. One broadcaster, in an attempt to connect on a personal level, even asked Ouyang Meixuan about her mood and first thought upon waking that morning.
