Something Just Like This Episode 21 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Yuan Yuan was dedicating herself completely to her work, not afraid of busy live streams or tough acting schedules. She was only afraid of being ignored. After finishing her live stream each day, she still had to memorize the next day's product catalog. On her way home, she suddenly realized she had forgotten the catalog and decided to go back for it. Zhang Bin accompanied her. Meanwhile, Qian Xixi was still working late at the office.
She saw a figure in black flash by, which startled her. She chased after the person, only to find it was Jiang Zheyang. Jiang Zheyang was preparing for a new role as a broadcaster and was curious to observe a live stream. Qian Xixi, surprised but happy, then gave him a tour of her live stream studio. While chatting, they reminisced about their childhood.
Jiang Zheyang recalled that Qian Xixi, despite her gentle appearance, was formidable when it came to fighting. He remembered her once defending him in school, describing it as "the damsel saving a hero in distress." In his memory, Qian Xixi had always been very adorable. As Qian Xixi and Jiang Zheyang were talking, Yuan Yuan and Zhang Bin returned to retrieve the product catalog.
Seizing the opportunity, Qian Xixi invited Yuan Yuan and Jiang Zheyang to do an impromptu live stream. However, realizing Jiang Zheyang couldn't show his face, Qian Xixi ingeniously put a white fox mask on him. During the live stream, when showcasing lipsticks, an audience member requested to see a lighter application. With no tissue available, Jiang Zheyang leaned in, offering his masked face, and Qian Xixi dabbed the lipstick onto the mask, lightening the shade.
This interactive moment caused both featured lipstick shades to sell out completely. Upon learning of Jiang Zheyang’s visit and the impromptu live stream, Duan Ran immediately requested the surveillance footage. Watching their interactive moment during the live stream, particularly Qian Xixi dabbing lipstick onto Jiang Zheyang's masked face, Duan Ran's jealousy boiled over. He stormed into Qian Xixi's office, feigning anger about the company's rules on unauthorized live streams and accusing her of overworking Yuan Yuan.
Qian Xixi, however, saw right through his act and teased him about how cute he looked when he was jealous. Duan Ran vehemently denied being jealous, claiming he was only worried she might be taken advantage of. He warned her to maintain a proper distance from celebrities like Jiang Zheyang. Qian Xixi deliberately confused him, hinting that her relationship with Jiang Zheyang was "complicated," which only fueled Duan Ran's fury.
Later, Jiang Zheyang visited Ou Yang, clearly delighted by the live stream. Ou Yang immediately knew his happiness stemmed from selling lipsticks with Qian Xixi, but she reminded him to be careful not to expose himself to paparazzi. Jiang Zheyang explained that he went to Rui Live to experience life as a broadcaster for his upcoming role in "The Suspect," where he plays a male broadcaster with a dual personality.
Ou Yang, though aware of his underlying motivation, chose not to expose him. Qian Xixi, knowing Yuan Yuan's long-standing admiration for a high-end cosmetics brand, successfully negotiated an advertising deal for Yuan Yuan to represent it. Yuan Yuan had never dreamed of working with such a prestigious brand and was deeply grateful to Qian Xixi. This made her even more hesitant about revealing her intention to terminate her contract.
Under Zhang Bin's encouragement, Yuan Yuan finally mustered the courage to meet Qian Xixi and proposed terminating her contract. She explained that her lifelong dream was to develop her career in the film industry, and now, having secured a lead role, she didn't want her live stream commitments to hinder her movie career. Qian Xixi was angry, scolding Yuan Yuan for being irresponsible.
She pointed out that the company had invested all its resources into boosting Yuan Yuan’s popularity, and her sudden departure would cause significant losses. Yuan Yuan, acknowledging her wrongdoing, offered to pay the five-million-yuan breach of contract fee. After learning of the situation, Duan Ran advised Qian Xixi that when they initially invested in Yuan Yuan, they had prepared for such possibilities.
He insisted that if Yuan Yuan chose to leave, she must pay the breach of contract fee to offset the company's losses. Qian Xixi, knowing Yuan Yuan's modest family background, worried about how she would manage to gather such a sum. Duan Ran, seeing through Qian Xixi’s tough exterior to her soft heart, reiterated that she must accept the payment. He also stressed the immediate priority of filling all the gaps left by Yuan Yuan's departure.
Initially unaware of Yuan Yuan's commitment to pay the breach of contract fee, Zhang Bin sought out Qian Xixi after discovering Yuan Yuan planned to sell her house and car. He shared with Qian Xixi the story of how he first met Yuan Yuan. He explained that he wasn't her fan initially but had gone to Hengdian to visit another celebrity. There, he unexpectedly saw Yuan Yuan hanging from a tree in a wired costume during mealtime.
The crew, finding it too troublesome to get her down, left her there, making her unable to eat. Zhang Bin fed her himself and was deeply impressed by her dedication as an actress. From that moment, he became her fan. Zhang Bin pleaded with Qian Xixi to be lenient and waive the fee, hoping it would allow Yuan Yuan more stability and confidence when facing future opportunities and challenges. Qian Xixi, already soft-hearted, was profoundly moved by his sincere appeal.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zheyang was diligently training and building muscle for his role as the male lead, Xiao Yu, in the movie "The Suspect." Back at Rui Live, with Yuan Yuan's departure, the company's viewership had significantly decreased. Duan Ran, in a phone call with Ou Yang, asked her to recommend an internet celebrity with an existing fan base to help boost Rui Live's attention and fill the void. Ou Yang agreed to check her contacts' schedules and arrange a meeting if she found suitable candidates.
