Something Just Like This Episode 23 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Qian Xixi expressed deep self-doubt to Zhang Jiayun, feeling her live streaming skills were inferior to Zhang Jiayun's and Yuan Yuan's, and her management abilities were lacking, struggling to retain staff, close deals, or win trust. She regretted competing for the CEO position against a Cambridge graduate, seeing herself as merely an undergraduate. Zhang Jiayun reassured her, explaining that her and Duan Ran's roles were different, and Duan Ran’s focus was simply more aligned with the team’s immediate interests.
Zhang Jiayun reminded Qian Xixi that she was personally selected as CEO by two chief executives of QE and urged her to have more confidence. Later, Duan Ran approached Qian Xixi, questioning why she had taken his car that morning. Qian Xixi, feeling irritated, sarcastically suggested he contact his ex-girlfriend, Ouyang Meixuan, about recruiting star broadcasters. Duan Ran insisted his contact with Ouyang was purely professional.
Just then, Ouyang Meixuan arrived with a new streamer, Xue Xiao Xiao, and Duan Ran offered to give them a tour of the company. Qian Xixi quickly made an excuse and departed. Afterward, Qian Xixi presented her quarterly work report to Shen Zong. He praised her for securing Yuan Yuan's termination fee, revealing that Duan Ran had initially asked him to pressure Qian Xixi into accepting it.
Shen Zong explained that balancing personal feelings and business is a critical lesson for young entrepreneurs, even admitting he had threatened to replace her with Duan Ran as CEO if she refused the fee, treating it as a test. Qian Xixi was touched by this revelation, understanding Duan Ran’s actions were meant to protect her position. Shen Zong noted Duan Ran’s rapid improvement, to which Qian Xixi affirmed her commitment to learning and growing from recent challenges.
Meanwhile, colleagues were gossiping about Su Su, speculating she was in love after being seen picked up by a handsome man in a BMW. Overhearing this, Yu Shi became visibly agitated, sweeping some donuts off a table. He repeatedly called Su Su, but she did not answer, leaving him anxious and staring blankly into a mirror. His personal turmoil was then interrupted by the office phone ringing.
A customer on the line vehemently complained that Rui Live’s skincare products had caused her to grow a beard, demanding compensation. Yu Shi, still in a foul mood, angrily dismissed her claims as a "new form of fraud," suggested she simply shave her beard, and scoffed at her tears, stating he also had reasons to cry.
Later, Su Su experienced a heartbreak after her boyfriend, whom she met through a blind date, publicly gossiped about her online and criticized her appearance. While she was still upset and crying, the same complaining customer arrived in person at the office. Su Su, still reeling from her breakup, rudely dismissed the customer's claims of growing a beard from Rui Live's "Perfect Blue" cosmetics, accusing her of attempting to extort the company.
Su Su further mocked the customer by linking her misfortune (her boyfriend dumping her due to the beard) to her own recent experience with a "scum man," causing the customer to cry and leave in anger. Unfazed, Su Su did not take the complaint seriously. At breakfast, Duan Ran’s mother, Zhou Yi, expressed deep sadness about Qian Xixi moving back to her old house, worrying about her well-being.
Qian Xixi clarified that the house was newly renovated and comfortable, explaining that her friend, Zhang Jiayun, needed a place to stay, and it was also time for her to be independent. Duan Ran’s father, Duan Shengyun, shared his wife’s concerns, asking if anything was wrong. Zhou Yi became tearful, as she considered Qian Xixi like a daughter.
Duan Ran playfully suggested renovating the house next to Qian Xixi's old place and moving in to take care of her, but his mother dismissed the idea, stating he couldn't even take care of himself. Duan Shengyun conceded that children eventually grow up and leave home. Later, while packing, Qian Xixi reflected on Duan Ran's protective actions, feeling a pang of reluctance. Duan Ran entered, teasing her about being sad to leave him.
Qian Xixi, now enlightened by Shen Zong’s words, sincerely thanked Duan Ran for his persistence in collecting the termination fee, which was ultimately to safeguard her CEO role. Duan Ran joked that he thought she was about to confess, adding that her remaining time, after he helped her move, would belong to him. She agreed.
Duan Ran helped Qian Xixi move her boxes, but they soon fell into a playful argument over trivial matters, like whether to make the bed or clean up first. Zhang Jiayun, exasperated by their bickering, briefly stepped aside. When they discovered Qian Xixi had forgotten her bedsheets, Duan Ran suggested they all go shopping. Zhang Jiayun, seizing the chance to leave them alone, feigned other commitments. While out, Qian Xixi expressed a desire for dorayaki.
They playfully debated the best flavor, red bean versus chocolate, eventually agreeing on a bet: the loser would buy the winner dorayakis for life. At the stall, the vendor offered a "one-for-one couple's special." Qian Xixi, feeling awkward, tried to decline, but Duan Ran immediately embraced her and declared them a couple to get the discount, igniting an unexpected feeling in Qian Xixi.
Though the promotion required both dorayakis to be the same flavor, they continued their playful banter, each championing their chosen flavor. Amidst their spirited discussion about dorayakis, Duan Ran challenged Qian Xixi to eat all four, promising her a lifetime supply if she succeeded. Then, he unexpectedly kissed her. Qian Xixi returned the kiss. Duan Ran softly confessed, "I love you." When Qian Xixi asked when he started liking her, he vaguely replied it was "too long ago."
Qian Xixi then reciprocated, "I like you, too," but playfully withheld the timing, telling him he had to finish the dorayakis first. Duan Ran then lifted her in a hug, telling her his heart wanted to embrace the "most lovable woman in the world." They joyfully affirmed each other as the "most lovable." While waiting for the elevator, they were intimately hugging when Zhou Yi unexpectedly appeared. Startled, they quickly claimed Qian Xixi had twisted her ankle.
Zhou Yi, concerned, immediately offered to help, instructing them to apply ice and providing Red Flower Oil. Back at Qian Xixi’s old house, after Zhou Yi applied Red Flower Oil to her "sprained" ankle, Duan Ran hugged Qian Xixi, expressing relief that they could be intimate without constant supervision now that they were out of his parents' house.
They agreed to keep their relationship a secret from Zhang Jiayun for the time being, and playfully warned each other to avoid potential romantic rivals like Jiang Zheyang and Ouyang. Before bed, Duan Ran insisted on a goodnight kiss. The next morning, at breakfast, Duan Ran tried to subtly take the car keys, but Zhou Yi caught him and insisted he drive Qian Xixi to work. Qian Xixi, playing along, said she needed a chauffeur, and Zhou Yi readily agreed.
During breakfast, they covertly touched feet under the table. On their drive to work, Qian Xixi tested Duan Ran on her lipstick shade. When he couldn't name it, she revealed it was "strawberry red." Duan Ran then kissed her, remarking that it didn't taste like strawberries. Their playful journey was abruptly interrupted by a phone call from Yu Shi, urgently summoning them back to the office due to a major incident.
They rushed back to find officials from the Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) at Rui Live, attempting to access their warehouse. Yu Shi, a middle manager, tried to delay the officials until the CEO arrived. Duan Ran and Qian Xixi quickly appeared, and Su Su informed them that the SAIC was investigating based on a consumer report, likely stemming from the customer Su Su had just offended.
The SAIC official presented a search warrant to Qian Xixi, identifying her as the company's CEO, stating that Rui Live was suspected of selling counterfeit Perfect Blue cosmetics and that they intended to seize and inspect all such products. The complaining customer, also present, pointed to the beard she claimed developed after using their foundation.
