Something Just Like This Episode 22 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Duan Ran had just finished a phone call with Ouyang, during which he asked her to introduce potential broadcasters to Rui Live to compensate for the anticipated loss of traffic after Yuan Yuan's departure. Qian Xixi approached him with a serious expression, and Duan Ran, mistakenly assuming she was jealous, quickly assured her it was purely business. Qian Xixi, however, was preoccupied with Yuan Yuan's resignation and the 5 million RMB termination fee.
She felt it would be ungrateful to accept the money, recalling Yuan Yuan's significant contributions to Rui Live since its inception. Duan Ran argued that the contract legally mandated the payment, and the company had heavily invested in promoting Yuan Yuan. He believed Yuan Yuan was being ungrateful by leaving after achieving popularity. Qian Xixi countered that Duan Ran had unilaterally decided to promote Yuan Yuan and, therefore, she owed him nothing.
She firmly declared her refusal to accept the 5 million RMB, citing it as an excessive burden on Yuan Yuan. Duan Ran insisted the company desperately needed the funds to avoid bankruptcy, but Qian Xixi, as CEO, maintained her decision, asserting her authority. Later, Duan Ran visited Shen, hoping the board would intervene and compel Qian Xixi to accept Yuan Yuan's termination fee, warning that Rui Live might not survive otherwise.
Shen noted that Duan Ran's concern for Qian Xixi, whom he described as overly emotional and prone to getting caught up in minor details, suggested she needed his constant oversight. Shen then commended Duan Ran's significant progress, highlighting his success in securing contracts with major brands like 'Pineapple Interactive Live' and leading Yuan Yuan to become a top broadcaster. Shen explicitly suggested that Duan Ran was now more suited to be CEO.
Duan Ran, surprised, initially expressed his contentment with Qian Xixi as CEO, stating he merely wanted to support her. However, Shen dismissed Duan Ran's view, explaining that Qian Xixi's initial appointment was also meant to provide Duan Ran with training and experience. He reiterated his belief that Duan Ran was now the more appropriate choice for CEO.
Duan Ran, clarifying that he was not making a complaint but seeking assistance for Qian Xixi, insisted that collecting the fee was a pure business decision. Shen then made it clear that if Qian Xixi refused the termination fee, she would no longer be able to serve as CEO. As Duan Ran left, he once again urged Shen to help him.
Qian Xixi tried to convince Yuan Yuan not to pay the 5 million RMB termination fee, explaining that as Yuan Yuan transitioned to acting, she would need every penny to start over in a new and demanding industry. She emphasized that having money provides a solid foundation to pursue one's dreams. However, Duan Ran arrived and insisted that Yuan Yuan must pay the termination fee if she wanted to leave, reminding her of the resources Rui had invested in her.
Qian Xixi, angered by his interference, accused him of meddling and attempted to stop him, asserting her authority as CEO. Duan Ran, in turn, pulled her downstairs, sternly rebuking her for being too soft-hearted. He reminded her that as CEO, she represented the interests of all Rui Live employees and must prioritize the company's well-being, conducting business purely on commercial terms.
Qian Xixi argued that waiving the fee was crucial for fostering a positive corporate culture and human touch, which would ultimately benefit Rui's reputation and the entire live-streaming industry. Duan Ran retorted that as businesspeople, they must adhere to the rules of the commercial world and honor contracts, not "illusory human touch." Their argument was cut short by a tearful Yuan Yuan, who firmly declared that she would pay the 5 million RMB, stating her decision was final.
Duan Ran then commanded Qian Xixi to obey him on this matter, stressing its importance, but offered no further explanation beyond "for the company and for everyone" when Qian Xixi pressed him for a concrete business reason. Watching Yuan Yuan leave, Qian Xixi felt a pang of sadness and confusion, unable to reconcile Duan Ran's seemingly cold, business-driven stance with his usual character.
She found herself questioning her decision to become CEO, feeling physically and mentally exhausted by the pressures of the role and her perceived shortcomings. Zhang Jiayun comforted her, urging her not to dwell on the past and to focus on future work. Qian Xixi confided that while she was happy with Duan Ran's improvements, the increased pressure on her, coupled with Ouyang's recent presence, made her uncomfortable and left her feeling indebted.
Zhang Jiayun encouraged her to find new talent and projects to fill the void left by Yuan Yuan, while pointedly avoiding comment on the love triangle. Qian Xixi then revealed that Duan Ran had already enlisted Ouyang's help to find new celebrity broadcasters, a plan she intended to let him execute. Reflecting further, Qian Xixi remarked that Yuan Yuan shared a strong resemblance to Chen Lang in her decisiveness and relentless pursuit of goals.
Zhang Jiayun visited Chen Lang at his office. Chen Lang, surprised but pleased, immediately offered to take her out to eat, but Zhang Jiayun insisted on seeing his new company. As Chen Lang proudly showed off his state-of-the-art live-streaming equipment, Zhang Jiayun cut straight to the point, accusing him of poaching Yuan Yuan and attempting to destabilize Rui Live. Chen Lang admitted to introducing Yuan Yuan to a producer but claimed her career success would depend on her own capabilities.
He defended his actions by invoking the "business is war" adage, implying that conflict and competition were inevitable. Zhang Jiayun countered that success wasn't limited to one path, nor was business solely about ruthless competition. Chen Lang, feigning ignorance, questioned why Rui would be struggling if Yuan Yuan had paid her substantial termination fee, suggesting that the money should cover their losses. Zhang Jiayun simply told him that Qian Xixi was different from him.
She then delivered a stern warning to Chen Lang, advising him against using underhanded tactics, as such actions might offer temporary advantages but would ultimately prove harmful in the long term. After connecting with Ouyang for potential talent acquisition, Duan Ran's mother, Aunt Zhou, encountered Duan Ran and Ouyang. Delighted, she invited Ouyang home for dinner, where they were found happily making dumplings together by Qian Xixi.
Aunt Zhou praised Ouyang's taste in jewelry and expressed her enjoyment of Ouyang's company, subtly hinting at her approval. Qian Xixi, feeling disheartened by the scene, made a quick excuse about having plans with Zhang Jiayun and left. She later met Zhang Jiayun at her old house, speculating that Aunt Zhou might be trying to set up Duan Ran and Ouyang.
Qian Xixi lamented how excluded she felt watching them converse about "madam" topics, describing a palpable connection she couldn't penetrate. Over drinks, they both criticized Ouyang's ambiguous attitude as "scum-like" and Duan Ran's reaction as "scumbag-like," feeling that the two were ganging up on Qian Xixi. Zhang Jiayun playfully chided Qian Xixi for retreating, suggesting she should show her feelings, but Qian Xixi insisted she had a right to leave her own home when upset.
Zhang Jiayun revealed that her landlord would not be renewing her lease, forcing her to find a new place. Qian Xixi saw this as an opportunity and invited Zhang Jiayun to move into her old house, suggesting they could support each other through difficult times. Zhang Jiayun agreed, believing a temporary separation from Duan Ran would provide both of them with space to clarify their feelings, as they had been too close for too long.
Qian Xixi confessed that she had always wanted to move back to her own home, as living with the Duan family felt like being a guest. She also admitted that recent conversations with her father and the awkwardness with Aunt Zhou and Uncle Duan made the idea of a "distance" appealing, hoping it would create a positive effect. They decided Qian Xixi would move in first, with Zhang Jiayun following shortly.
Qian Xixi, in a tipsy state, joked that her long-held dream of moving out was quickly realized over drinks. Zhang Jiayun teased her by wishing Duan Ran could be her next roommate, to which Qian Xixi jokingly declared herself and Duan Ran "bitter enemies" and suggested Ouyang could be his roommate instead. Duan Ran drove Ouyang home, his mind preoccupied with concern for Qian Xixi.
Ouyang noted his newfound maturity, attributing it to his need to care for the "hot-tempered" Qian Xixi, a realization that left Ouyang feeling uneasy. After dropping Ouyang off, Duan Ran waited for Qian Xixi to return home. When she finally arrived, he immediately asked if she was jealous about his mother inviting Ouyang for dinner.
Qian Xixi, still a bit tipsy, brushed off the jealousy accusation and instead informed him of her plan to move back to her old house with Zhang Jiayun, whose lease was expiring. Duan Ran was visibly distressed by her decision, questioning her reasoning and expressing his reluctance for her to leave, asking if she had considered his or his parents' feelings. Qian Xixi retorted by asking if he had considered her feelings about perpetually living in their house.
She assured him she would still visit his parents regularly, dismissing any significant difference. When Duan Ran again probed about her jealousy, Qian Xixi scoffed, calling him narcissistic, and quickly ended the conversation, feigning extreme tiredness. Yu Shi excitedly informed Qian Xixi that Yuan Yuan's 5 million RMB termination fee had been successfully deposited into the company's account.
However, Qian Xixi found no joy in the news, instead expressing her sadness that Yuan Yuan had to sell her only house, earned through years of hard work in Xiamen, just to pay the fee. She worried that Yuan Yuan would have to start completely from scratch. Learning that Yuan Yuan was at the company's dressing room packing her belongings, Qian Xixi rushed to find her.
She tried one last time to persuade Yuan Yuan to stay, reminding her that the decision hadn't been fully cemented. Yuan Yuan, though visibly reluctant to part, resolutely stated her commitment to her chosen path, invoking the phrase, "Life is like chess, no regrets after a move is made." Qian Xixi questioned if betting everything on an uncertain dream was truly worth it, but Yuan Yuan, tearfully, explained that having paid the termination fee, she had left herself no alternative.
She promised that once she made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, she would return to help Qian Xixi. Qian Xixi encouraged her to succeed quickly and take good care of herself, acknowledging the complexities of the industry. She then assured Yuan Yuan that as long as Qian Xixi remained at Rui, Yuan Yuan's access card would always open the company's doors for her.
With an emotional goodbye, Qian Xixi watched Yuan Yuan walk away, tears streaming down her face. Qian Xixi gathered the Rui Live broadcasters to announce Yuan Yuan's departure. The news was met with dismay, as the broadcasters worried about the company's future without its only head streamer, and felt their own careers as "internet celebrities" paled in comparison to Yuan Yuan's move into showbiz.
Qian Xixi quickly sought to reassure and motivate them, explaining that Yuan Yuan's exit created a significant opportunity for everyone. She announced that the substantial resources previously focused on Yuan Yuan would now be redirected to support each of them, and the company would actively cultivate new head broadcasters from within their ranks. Zhang Jiayun and others voiced their support.
Qian Xixi acknowledged that many brands, originally attracted by Yuan Yuan, had already proposed terminating their contracts, but she pledged to negotiate diligently to retain as many as possible. She promised to distribute the remaining brand resources among them and urged them to prepare thoroughly, maintaining composure despite Yuan Yuan's departure. Some broadcasters still expressed anxieties about the limited resources, their equitable distribution, and whether Duan Ran's celebrity reinforcements would monopolize opportunities.
They also questioned if Duan Ran was actively pursuing new brands. Qian Xixi reiterated the cost-effectiveness of retaining existing brands over acquiring new ones, concluding the meeting as Zhang Jiayun thanked her for her efforts.
