Something Just Like This Episode 18 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Duan Ran convened a meeting with all the broadcasters, aiming to help Yuan Yuan vie for the Talent Chart. However, Qian Xixi voiced strong opposition. As Duan Ran rushed her to the meeting from her meal, she immediately questioned his plan, asking how he intended to "reach the top" and with what resources.
She clarified that while she didn't object to Yuan Yuan participating in the Talent Chart, she strongly opposed mobilizing all the company's human and material resources to push her up the ranks, especially with less than a week left. Duan Ran, however, was confident, assuring her there was "more than enough time." Just then, he received a call and announced that their "saviour is here." He then instructed Qian Xixi to organize the meeting minutes before rushing out.
Curious about this "saviour," Qian Xixi followed him. Qian Xixi followed Duan Ran outside and saw him greeting Ouyang, who had arrived in a nice car. Feeling a pang of jealousy, Qian Xixi expressed her frustration that her opinions seemed to hold no weight compared to Ouyang's. Meanwhile, Lao Qian, feeling uneasy, went to check on Qian Xixi.
He worried about her grueling schedule as a CEO during the day and a broadcaster at night, finding it "too tough" for a young woman. Qian Xixi, however, reassured him that she was used to it and found her work fulfilling. She dismissed any talk of her being "owed" anything, explaining that Duan Shengyun entrusted her with Rui Live because he "acknowledges and trusts" her, and she didn't want to let him down.
Lao Qian questioned why Duan Shengyun didn't entrust the company to his own son, Duan Ran, who had studied in the UK, and pointed out that Qian Xixi hadn't received any company shares. Qian Xixi brushed this off, stating her salary was the highest. Lao Qian, drawing on his own business experience, argued that a CEO should hold shares.
He then accused Duan Ran of not treating Qian Xixi properly, recalling how he argued with her in the meeting and then left with "the woman in the sports car" without hesitation, confirming he saw it himself. Duan Ran then discussed his plan with Ouyang. He proposed recreating the viral six-hand piano video on a reality TV program, similar to an overseas show that reproduces viral scenes.
He suggested hiring a music producer to re-edit the song, believing the unique concept would appeal to local audiences. He casually mentioned that the "wild piano man" in the video was actually his friend's father, which Ouyang found quite a coincidence. Ouyang expressed interest but immediately raised a "critical problem": Yuan Yuan's past scandal. Duan Ran confidently dismissed the rumors as impossible and declared his trust in Yuan Yuan.
However, Ouyang insisted that his personal belief wasn't enough; they needed a "long-term plan" to convince the public that the allegations were false. The following morning, Duan Ran arrived at the office exceptionally early, waiting for Yuan Yuan. He praised her for always being the first to arrive. He then revealed that he had come early specifically to discuss a "new plan" for her.
Recalling the previous interactive project that fell through, Duan Ran stated that he felt responsible and needed to follow through. Yuan Yuan expressed her trust in him, but also brought up her "bad history." Duan Ran reassured her that "everyone makes mistakes" and promised they would make "sufficient preparations" to "achieve this goal," to which Yuan Yuan agreed. Duan Ran invited Lao Qian to a restaurant, pitching him on the idea of appearing on a TV program.
Lao Qian, still suspicious of Duan Ran's intentions towards Qian Xixi and believing Duan Ran was exploiting her, was initially hesitant. Duan Ran attempted to reassure him about Qian Xixi's passion for her work and her capability, but Lao Qian only grew more worried.
When Duan Ran finally revealed his business proposition for Lao Qian to perform the six-hand piano with Yuan Yuan and Jiang Zheyang, promising that they would "all become famous," Lao Qian agreed to help, but quickly brought up his own financial struggles, mentioning he hadn't even bought Qian Xixi a decent outfit since returning. He then stated that he expected a "service fee."
Duan Ran, trying to downplay the potential compensation due to the program's strong producers and Rui Live's startup phase, mentioned an amount of 30,000 RMB. Lao Qian, however, calmly corrected him, stating, "you missed one more zero," implying a demand for 300,000 RMB, which left Duan Ran utterly stunned. Stunned by Lao Qian's demand, Duan Ran went to Qian Xixi, sarcastically asking if she knew why her father's surname was "Qian" (meaning money), implying he was "money minded."
Qian Xixi was offended, but Duan Ran quickly explained that Lao Qian was demanding 300,000 RMB to appear on the TV program with Jiang Zheyang and Yuan Yuan. Duan Ran, exasperated, pointed out that he had already "lowered his pride and did everything he could" for the preliminary promotion and publicity. Qian Xixi, initially deflecting by mentioning Duan Ran's "ex" Ouyang, refused to get involved, saying it seemed like they were taking advantage of Ouyang.
Duan Ran insisted that Lao Qian was her father and she "must handle this." To Duan Ran's shock, Qian Xixi retorted that her father asked for "too little," and if it were her, she "would request for three million." Duan Ran, aghast at her response, stressed the urgency of participating in the program to compete with Chen Lang's company and insisted she "must persuade her father." Despite her earlier bravado, Qian Xixi approached Lao Qian to discuss the matter.
She explained her personal stake in the program, emphasizing that the company's recent performance had been "mediocre" and she needed to "push our broadcasters up the ranks" to secure a successful quarterly performance review as CEO. However, Lao Qian remained unmoved, believing Qian Xixi was being undervalued and tirelessly working for Duan Ran's family. He insisted that the 300,000 RMB fee was entirely justified, asserting that her being sent to negotiate proved his worth.
He provocatively questioned why, if the Duan family truly cared for her, Duan Ran's mother, Zhou Jie, hadn't "accept you as her daughter-in-law." Angered by his "ridiculous" remarks, Qian Xixi tried to defend the Duan family, stating they treated her very well. Lao Qian, however, remained resolute, believing he understood both her and the Duan family's intentions, concluding, "This world is not as simple as you imagined." He declared his decision was final: "RMB300,000 and not a penny less.
There's no space for negotiation." Frustrated and exasperated, Qian Xixi abruptly left, telling him to "pretend I never came today." Qian Xixi met with Zhang Jiayun to vent her frustrations, lamenting that her father, who had "appeared before me out of nowhere," was driving her crazy. Zhang Jiayun calmly reminded her that "love comes with restrictions," a truth Qian Xixi acknowledged but still needed to rant about.
Zhang Jiayun then defended Lao Qian, praising his good looks, musical talents, cooking skills, and ability to surprise, ultimately calling him "great." Qian Xixi, however, warned Zhang Jiayun not to be fooled by his "kind" exterior, dismissing his talents as trivial accomplishments. Despite this, Zhang Jiayun concluded that while Lao Qian might be "stubborn, rigid, and conservative," he was genuinely "fighting for your benefits" and admitted she "kind of admire[d]" Qian Xixi for having such a father.
The next day, Qian Xixi took Lao Qian shopping, immediately launching into criticisms of his outdated attire, calling his clothes and shoes "hideous" and "unfashionable." She then arranged for him to get a new, shorter haircut, which Lao Qian initially found unfamiliar but conceded "makes me look younger." Qian Xixi offered styling advice, insisting he wear his colorful inner shirt visible rather than zipped up, declaring "only oldies wear them this way" and that it would make him "look younger."
Lao Qian readily agreed to follow her advice. As they picked out new shoes, including a pair similar to her own, Lao Qian asked Qian Xixi to tie his shoelaces. Watching his daughter perform this simple act filled him with happiness. Admiring his complete makeover, Lao Qian remarked, "Clothes make the man," feeling "a few years younger" in the new outfits, to Qian Xixi's delight.
Later, Lao Qian confessed his earlier demand for money wasn't out of greed, but because "I just wanted to do something for you," seeing her work so hard. Qian Xixi, in turn, shared her journey, from her childhood dream of running a small business like her mother – a dream Duan Ran once teased her for – to becoming CEO of Rui Live.
She spoke of her relentless efforts, the support from Duan Ran and his family, and the achievements she and her team accomplished, such as selling hundreds of thousands of coffee bottles and successfully signing Jiang Zheyang. She expressed deep satisfaction and "a sense of achievement" in her work. Moved by her words, Lao Qian declared, "You're amazing. I'm very proud of you!"
He then decided to participate in the company's event "for free," explaining that he'd witnessed her difficult journey and realized he "shouldn't wrangle with Duan Ran because of my emotions," vowing instead to help her as much as he could. Qian Xixi was overjoyed by his change of heart. Duan Ran successfully arranged the six-hand piano performance, bringing together Jiang Zheyang, Lao Qian, and Yuan Yuan for preparations.
At the venue, Jiang Zheyang was pleasantly surprised to learn that Lao Qian was Qian Xixi's father, recognizing him despite his new haircut, which Qian Xixi jokingly took credit for. Jiang Zheyang remarked on their "fate," having met when he was a child. As Ouyang briefed them on the program's flow and the setup for the six-hand piano, Lao Qian and Jiang Zheyang chatted about their shared appreciation for Paul Simon's music.
Lao Qian then deliberately told Qian Xixi that Jiang Zheyang's "great taste" and her own preference for Paul Simon made them "a good match." Qian Xixi dismissed this as "ridiculous," but Jiang Zheyang agreed with Lao Qian. Feeling a surge of discomfort witnessing the warm interaction between Qian Xixi and Jiang Zheyang, Duan Ran abruptly turned to Ouyang and suggested they go for a drink that night, seemingly ignoring Qian Xixi.
Qian Xixi protested about him taking the car, to which Duan Ran replied he would get a driver. Jiang Zheyang then proposed they all go to a live house he frequented, and Lao Qian readily agreed. That evening, everyone gathered at a live house. While chatting with Ouyang, Duan Ran's gaze kept drifting towards Qian Xixi and Jiang Zheyang. Noticing his distraction, Ouyang urged him to focus on the music rather than "watching the performance" of Qian Xixi.
In response, Qian Xixi, wanting to provoke Duan Ran, deliberately asked Jiang Zheyang to dance. Later, she leaned close to Jiang Zheyang under the pretense of adjusting his hat, engaging him in conversation about their elementary school days. Duan Ran, clearly annoyed by this display, continued to drink heavily with Ouyang. As the night ended, Jiang Zheyang and Qian Xixi helped a very drunk Lao Qian return home.
A neighbor, seeing the scene, mistakenly asked Qian Xixi if she was happy because "your son-in-law is here," implying Jiang Zheyang was her boyfriend. Later that night, Ouyang, having drunk excessively, confronted Duan Ran, asking, "What am I to you? What kind of a person do you think I am?" Duan Ran described her as "Ouyang Meixuan," a "daring, free-spirited, and capable woman" who was never sad, undeterred by failure, decisive, and never hesitant—a true "heroine."
Ouyang, with a bitter smile, expressed her feeling that she no longer lived up to that description, lamenting her current lack of self-confidence and ease. Duan Ran gently insisted he still saw her as "easy-going." She then showed him a bracelet he had given her for her birthday, which she still wore and cherished, despite a diamond having fallen out. She revealed the "funny" coincidence that her father had given her an "exact same thing."
Ouyang then brought up their past breakup, explaining that while her father had disapproved of their relationship and she wanted a career back in China, Duan Ran's actions were "unreasonable." She expressed her hurt, saying he should have at least "told me that I'm being dumped" and that she was "unaware" of the breakup.
