Something Just Like This Episode 17 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Qian Xixi opened the door to her old house, observing its messy state, and told Lao Qian it was uninhabitable, suggesting he stay elsewhere. Lao Qian, feeling homesick, expressed how he often dreamt of returning to Xiamen and seeing Qian Xixi and her mother there. Qian Xixi, however, harshly reminded him that she and her mother had long forgotten him, and firmly rejected his plans to take her abroad, declaring she would never leave the country with him.
Later, in the car, Qian Xixi confessed to Duan Ran that she was deeply upset. She recounted how, as a child, her yearly birthday wish was for Lao Qian to return and be with her and her mother. She always wondered why her father never picked her up from school or gave her birthday gifts, and constantly questioned if she wasn't good enough, which was why he stayed away.
She recalled being bullied by other children who claimed she had no father, only for her mother to fiercely protect her, asserting that Qian Xixi was stronger than any other child because her father was a great musician abroad. Seeing Lao Qian now, Qian Xixi felt only rage. She questioned why he could arbitrarily re-enter her life and demand affection without having contributed or been present.
She lamented that everything she desired seemed to slip away, while things she wished to discard clung stubbornly, making her feel like an insignificant blade of grass. Duan Ran, seeing her tears, pulled the car over, embracing her and encouraging her to cry freely, assuring her that in his world and the world of those who loved her, she was the most important person.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jiayun's popularity soared after her live interaction with Jiang Zheyang, with his female fans flocking to support her, tripling her follower count. Yuan Yuan, having returned to livestreaming, found her sales lagging behind Zhang Jiayun's. Her manager, Zhang Bin, consoled Yuan Yuan, reminding her that her fanbase was still the largest.
Yuan Yuan's assistant, Xiao Bu, expressed frustration that Rui Live's best resources were going to Zhang Jiayun, even noting that Yuan Yuan's former assistant, Qing Qing, had been temporarily assigned to Zhang Jiayun's broadcast. Yuan Yuan, however, remained confident, and wasn't angry about Duan Ran's unfulfilled promises, dismissing the interactive live stream as an accident.
She asserted her determination to work hard, showcase her strength, and use sales to prove that she remained Rui Live's top streamer, regardless of what anyone said behind her back. Back at the house, Qian Xixi hired a renovation company to install furniture, only for Lao Qian to summarily send the workers away. Enraged, Qian Xixi confronted him, accusing him of making decisions on her behalf.
She was particularly furious when he wallpapered over a growth chart her mother had drawn on the wall. Tearing down the wallpaper, Qian Xixi scolded him for destroying her mother's artwork, which Lao Qian claimed he knew nothing about and apologized profusely. She warned him not to chase away the renovation company again. Later, Lao Qian's continued noisy renovation work led to a neighbor reporting him to the police.
Qian Xixi, interrupted during a live stream, had to rush to the Jimei District Police Station to bail him out. Further angered, she lashed out at him, asking how much more trouble he intended to cause. Lao Qian, explaining he only wanted to surprise her and make amends for damaging her mother's drawing by hanging photos of Qian Xixi and her mother, admitted he knew she hated him.
He said he simply wanted her to call him "Dad," asking how many times they had seen each other in her life, especially when her mother was sick. He apologized sincerely, agreeing she had every right to hate him, and offered to let her hit or slap him if it would make her feel better. Lao Qian then began slapping himself, apologizing to both Qian Xixi and her mother.
Tears streaming down her face, Qian Xixi rushed to stop him, crying out "Dad" for the first time in years. Lao Qian, overcome with emotion, collapsed and wept like a child, while Qian Xixi knelt to comfort him, stroking his head. Their long-standing grievances seemed to wash away with their tears.
Returning home, Qian Xixi felt a warmth in her heart as she saw the photo frame of her and her mother on the wall, and Lao Qian looked at his daughter, now seemingly reunited with him, with loving eyes. That evening, Qian Xixi called Duan Ran to update him on the situation, mentioning the police issued a verbal warning and that Lao Qian would continue staying at the house to save money.
She encouraged Duan Ran to go home and spend time with his mother. Meanwhile, Chen Lang's Cloud Live had successfully promoted Xiao Xiao as a head broadcaster by investing heavily to boost her position on the Talent Chart. Duan Ran was frustrated, noting that Rui Live lacked a head broadcaster and was struggling financially.
He was worried, especially after hearing that Chen Lang was actively preparing to further boost Xiao Xiao's ranking into the top thirty on the Talent Chart, which would solidify her status as a true top-tier head broadcaster. Cola met with Chen Lang, directly asking if he considered himself despicable. She confronted him about sending her Yuan Yuan's incriminating information, correctly inferring he intended for her to prevent Yuan Yuan's rise and hinder Rui Live's competition with Cloud Live.
Chen Lang admitted his methods were "despicable" and pointed out their similarities: both desired to succeed. He revealed he chose her because, upon joining Rui Live, she adopted a "Little Yuan Yuan" persona which attracted fans, but she disliked the name and preferred to be called Cola, showing her ambition to stand out. Chen Lang offered her a partnership, but Cola, not wanting to become someone she despised, refused.
Separately, a video of Lao Qian, Yuan Yuan, and Jiang Zheyang performing a six-hand piano performance went viral online, garnering over ten million views and attracting significant attention, much to Cola's envy. Duan Ran then discussed the need for a head broadcaster with Zhang Jiayun. He felt streamers like Little Yellow Duck and Yuan Bao were not yet mature enough for the role, and proposed nurturing Zhang Jiayun for it.
Zhang Jiayun, however, expressed her disinterest in competition and fame, and instead recommended Yuan Yuan, showing Duan Ran the viral piano video. Following this, Duan Ran called Lao Qian to the company. Lao Qian arrived with lunch he had personally prepared for Qian Xixi and Duan Ran, which Duan Ran heartily praised. However, Yu Shi interrupted, informing Duan Ran of an urgent meeting. Duan Ran, pulling Qian Xixi who had barely eaten, rushed to the conference room for a mobilization meeting to discuss pushing Rui Live's broadcasters onto the Talent Chart.
