Something Just Like This Episode 27 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
The board of directors officially announced Zhang Jiayun as the interim CEO, to manage Rui's daily operations until a permanent appointment. This news sparked resentment among the employees, who believed Zhang Jiayun had unfairly taken Qian Xixi’s position. Accusations flew that Zhang Jiayun had voted for herself, going against the group's agreement to support Qian Xixi.
Unfazed, Zhang Jiayun asserted her authority, immediately assigning tasks: Yu Shi was to compile the quarterly financial report, Su Su was to gather all broadcasters' live stream data since Chen Lang's departure, and all broadcasters were to provide an inventory of their brand supply chains and products, all due by the next day. She also instructed Duan Ran to assist her in reporting to the board.
However, this entire situation was orchestrated by Duan Ran, who had secretly asked Zhang Jiayun to temporarily take the CEO role to create space for Qian Xixi, promising her future favors, which Zhang Jiayun hinted would involve treating her to more good food. Meanwhile, Fei Fei was in a state of distress, crying as her landlord pounded on the door.
She confessed to Qian Xixi that she hadn't paid rent for three months and had changed the lock, preventing the landlord from entering. Fei Fei tearfully explained her desperate situation, having lost her boyfriend, roommates, and job, and now grappling with growing a beard. She revealed her severe insomnia and fear of being alone at night, begging Qian Xixi to stay.
Qian Xixi, while sympathetic, agreed on one condition: Fei Fei must accompany her to the hospital the next morning to have her beard examined. Zhang Jiayun convened another meeting to introduce reforms. She began by stating that her appointment was driven by responsibility and a desire to address Rui's management shortcomings. Her first reform was to implement product monitoring and a customer feedback mechanism, tasks she assigned to Yu Shi and Su Su.
Both expressed hesitation, citing their lack of expertise in customer service and negative experiences related to the Fei Fei incident. Zhang Jiayun dismissed their objections, urging them to atone for past mistakes. Her second reform involved a mandatory training program for all non-head broadcasters, effectively everyone, given Rui's current situation. Lastly, she announced a performance review system: the top three broadcasters would receive a five percent commission increase, while bottom-ranking broadcasters would face a five percent deduction.
Those who remained at the bottom for six consecutive months would be fired. The broadcasters voiced their concerns about working longer hours for potentially less pay. Zhang Jiayun countered that a fundamental change was necessary, not just putting out fires. She then proposed a controversial collaboration with Cloud Live, citing the need for industry players to cooperate.
Yu Shi, however, advised caution and gradual changes, and accused Zhang Jiayun of abusing her authority by immediately seeking a partnership with Chen Lang, given his problematic history with Rui. Zhang Jiayun forcibly suppressed their objections, asserting her authority, and ended the discussion by declaring that all aspects of the company needed reform and abruptly adjourned the meeting.
Following the meeting, Yu Shi and other employees sought out Duan Ran, hoping he would intervene and stop Zhang Jiayun's drastic measures and her proposed collaboration with Chen Lang. Duan Ran, however, appeared indifferent, claiming to have "no comment." He launched into a philosophical monologue about the meaning of life, having found peace in tending to his plants in the office and advising everyone to embrace nature and live a more relaxed, unhurried life.
Despite the employees' pleas, he dismissed their concerns, even pointing out a plant with rotten roots. He then told them to return to work, support Zhang Jiayun, and work hard. He then openly lay down and slept, stating he was tired and needed to rest. Qian Xixi lovingly made breakfast for Fei Fei and gave her the medication prescribed by the doctor, explaining that the beard was due to hormonal imbalance, an unhealthy lifestyle, and emotional stress.
She advised Fei Fei to take her medicine, eat regularly, and not overthink things. Fei Fei expressed deep remorse for disrupting Qian Xixi's life, but Qian Xixi clarified that Fei Fei was merely a "remote cause" for her job loss. Qian Xixi also admitted her secondary motive for staying: to find clues about the problematic Perfect Blue liquid foundation.
Just then, Duan Ran arrived with a heavy bag of daily necessities, playfully suggesting Fei Fei move out so he could move in with Qian Xixi. After a tender moment, Duan Ran voiced his suspicion about Fei Fei, asking why Rui was targeted among so many platforms selling the product. He urged Qian Xixi to investigate whether Fei Fei was truly a victim or if the situation was a ploy.
Qian Xixi agreed to look into it, then playfully insisted Duan Ran help her carry the heavy bag upstairs. At Rui's office, employees commiserated over their lack of work and income, lamenting that three CEOs had changed in just a few months. Cola then shared a Cloud Live recruitment notice, enticing them with stable work and good conditions. She argued that e-commerce streamers' careers decline after age 27, and she couldn't afford to wait for Rui to recover.
While she claimed not to incite mass resignations, she clearly encouraged them to consider Cloud Live. Little Yellow Duck declared she would follow Cola, prompting Mr Five to angrily leave the room. Zhang Jiayun observed these interactions silently. Meanwhile, Jiang Zheyang’s mother resorted to her usual tactic of threatening to run away from home, taking a bag and claiming she was going on a trip with friends.
Jiang Zheyang confronted her, pleading with her to stop using such "bitter stratagem," reminding her of his unwavering obedience throughout his life. Despite knowing her intentions, he ultimately compromised, agreeing to take on the film "Love, Summer" that she had recommended. Later, Ouyang, clearly inebriated, called Duan Ran, asking him to meet her. Duan Ran, fearing Qian Xixi would misunderstand, called her to explain.
Qian Xixi expressed her annoyance and jealousy, questioning why Ouyang always called him when she was drunk and demanding he pick her up. Although she begrudgingly agreed, recalling Ouyang's past help, she was visibly upset, claiming Ouyang's calls were not work-related but an endless personal imposition. Back at Fei Fei's place, while cleaning, Qian Xixi discovered numerous online shopping boxes.
This sparked a memory of Duan Ran's earlier suspicion, prompting her to consider if Fei Fei's complaint was indeed genuine or if the product had even been purchased from Rui. Ouyang had earlier sent frustrated voicemails via WeChat to Jiang's mother, urging her to act rationally for Jiang Zheyang's career, citing upcoming photo shoots and contract signings. She even offered to resign if Jiang's mother didn't want her involved. Meeting Duan Ran later, Ouyang apologized for calling him out.
Duan Ran, noticing her low spirits, listened as she confessed to feeling like a failure. Duan Ran reassured her, praising her as Jiang Zheyang's top agent and an elite in their field, suggesting she simply had high expectations. Ouyang then mused about the futility of hard work if it leads to failure and reflected on how "no party lasts forever, and people will always leave."
Duan Ran probed if she and Jiang Zheyang had a disagreement, but Ouyang refused to disclose the details, only hinting that it involved "him or his mother." She rejected Duan Ran's offer to mediate, stating she preferred to handle her work issues herself and just wanted him to drink with her. Back at Rui, Zhang Jiayun held individual meetings with her key employees to discuss her Cloud Live collaboration plans.
She met with Bai Siyu, proposing a special event for her involving a well-known coffee chain and Cloud Live. She told Bai Siyu, whose father was a successful businessman, to be rational and not let personal feelings interfere. Zhang Jiayun emphasized that this coffee chain deal was her bargaining chip against Chen Lang and must be kept secret. She then met with Little Yellow Duck, revealing plans to organize a special for her with Cloud Live, featuring Minion animation derivatives.
This, too, was a bargaining chip against Chen Lang and had to be confidential. Next, she met Mr Five, presenting a deal with a trendy Chinese brand called "Recluse," which would use Mr Five's original designs for a product series, aiming to establish him as the industry's top designer, a plan also involving Cloud Live and to be kept secret as a bargaining chip.
Finally, Zhang Jiayun met Cola, praising her potential to become a head broadcaster, a role she felt Cola was previously denied due to Yuan Yuan. She highlighted that with Yuan Yuan and Qian Xixi gone, Rui urgently needed a head broadcaster. Zhang Jiayun proposed a collaboration with Cloud Live for Cola, despite their rivalry, and asserted her ability to secure the Pineapple Xpress deal again, declaring "Cola's era" had arrived.
She concluded by reiterating that the Pineapple Xpress collaboration was her bargaining chip against Chen Lang and strictly confidential. Fei Fei then confessed to Duan Ran and Qian Xixi that she was unsure if the problematic Perfect Blue product was from Rui. She admitted that her complaint was fueled by her recent breakup with Zhang Si, her bad mood, and a perceived rude attitude from Rui's staff.
Duan Ran angrily scolded her for her impulsive actions, detailing the severe consequences for Rui, including business suspension, Qian Xixi's job loss, and employees like Su Su and Yu Shi having to search for Zhang Si in Taizhou. He even revealed that Su Su was going through her own breakup. Duan Ran bluntly informed Fei Fei that Zhang Si had a new girlfriend.
Qian Xixi, while chastising Duan Ran for his harshness, comforted Fei Fei, urging her to cultivate emotional independence and self-love to attract a healthy relationship. She also advised Fei Fei to stop "making trouble for others." Witnessing the fallout and Qian Xixi's sacrifices, Fei Fei sincerely apologized and offered to do whatever she could to "make it up" and help Rui recover its losses.
Meanwhile, Cola secretly met with Chen Lang, reporting the growing unrest among Rui's employees under Zhang Jiayun's leadership and their hesitation to jump ship. Chen Lang encouraged her to give them "one more push" to expedite their defection to Cloud Live. As they spoke, they discussed a painting called "Circus Sideshow." Cola perceived the cruelty inflicted upon the animals, noting the audience's lack of guilt.
Chen Lang, however, saw the painting as a depiction of "the survival of the fittest," reinforcing his ruthless approach to competition. Later, Zhang Jiayun met Chen Lang, insisting he address her as "Ms Zhang" and clarifying their meeting was strictly professional. She reminded him of his residual stake in Rui and pointed out that both Duan Ran and Qian Xixi, whom he disliked, were no longer at the company.
She then proposed a 50/50 profit-sharing collaboration for joint live stream specials. Chen Lang, however, immediately expressed skepticism and revealed he had anticipated her real intention: to reclaim the Pineapple Xpress special, fearing she would use her connections to Wu Zhong Quan to do so, resulting in a significant loss for him.
