Something Just Like This Episode 33 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Duan Ran apologized to Qian Xixi, admitting his jealousy and misunderstanding regarding her and Jiang Zheyang. He stated there was nothing between them and asked for her forgiveness, which she granted. At her current workplace, QE's Pineapple Xpress, Qian Xixi informed the store manager and Lu Hui that she was resigning. She explained that her former company, Rui Live, was facing difficulties, and she had been observing the store's leftover stock with the intention of helping Rui.
She felt she could no longer remain there and needed to return to help her old colleagues. The manager and Lu Hui expressed their admiration for Qian Xixi's intelligence and resilience, wishing her luck. Meanwhile, Mr Five hosted a live stream to showcase her latest design, a unique garment splicing a sweatshirt and a shirt. The audience's reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with comments calling the design "low-class," "weird," and "ugly."
Overwhelmed by the criticism, Mr Five ran off the set, locking herself in a restroom and crying. Mao stayed outside to comfort her, while Su Su and Zhang Jiayun worried about the failed plan. Qian Xixi met with Mr Wu, the manager of Pineapple Xpress, seeking a "golden key" to create a new collaborative landscape for the Entity, Live Streaming, and Apparel Alliances.
She directly implied he was that key, reminding him of their past successful collaborations where both Rui and Pineapple Xpress profited. Qian Xixi then revealed that during her time as a shop assistant at QE, she discovered a large amount of unsold leftover stock at Pineapple Xpress. She proposed that Rui Live sell these items. Mr Wu, however, declined, citing unwritten "customary rules" and strict company regulations that prevented him from independently making decisions about the leftover stock.
He advised Qian Xixi to accept the Entity Alliance's rigid proposal, as he couldn't afford to displease Mr Song. Undeterred, Zhang Jiayun and Bai Siyu visited the Pineapple Xpress counter to speak with the store manager and Lu Hui. They appealed to the manager's sympathy by highlighting Qian Xixi's struggles, her selfless resignation to help her company, and her positive character, hoping to get information about the leftover stock.
While the manager acknowledged Qian Xixi's plight, she feared company repercussions and initially refused to disclose any details. After Lu Hui's persistent persuasion, the manager relented slightly, providing Zhang Jiayun and Bai Siyu with two spare work uniforms and the location of the leftover stock's dispatch point. Concurrently, Qian Xixi, dressed in an outfit Duan Ran had bought for her, attended the tripartite negotiation as Duan Ran's representative.
Mr Song, representing the Entity Alliance, dismissed her presence, questioning why Duan Ran sent a "young lady" after a "young kid." Unfazed, Qian Xixi rejected the Entity Alliance's proposed agreement. She presented a counter-proposal: a "sole agents" model where live streaming companies would sell specific product lines online, distinct from what was available in physical stores, ensuring both online and offline markets could operate without interference.
Mr Mu Jr and Mr Song vehemently opposed this, arguing it was impractical, prone to ambiguities, and financially inefficient. Mr Song pushed for the immediate signing of his agreement, warning against further delay. Mr Shen, acting as a mediator, called for a five-minute break. During the break, Zhang Jiayun and Bai Siyu, disguised in the work uniforms, successfully followed a truck carrying Pineapple Xpress's leftover stock to a recycling yard warehouse.
Zhang Jiayun attempted to take photos with her phone to gather evidence, but she was caught by the transport workers. They confiscated her phone and deleted all the pictures and videos she had taken before forcing them to leave. Simultaneously, Qian Xixi confronted Mr Wu and Mr Mu Jr during the break.
She claimed to possess irrefutable evidence—photos, videos, and audio recordings of drivers, warehouse staff, and counter staff—proving they were secretly sending valuable leftover stock to recycling to maintain favorable sales figures for the negotiation. When they demanded to see the proof, she cleverly withheld it, emphasizing the difficulty of obtaining such sensitive information.
She then appealed to their past professional relationship and personal friendships, reminding Mr Wu of her past efforts for Pineapple Xpress during difficult times and Mr Mu Jr of her assistance with Perfect Blue. Despite her emotional plea, they remained reluctant to cross Mr Song. At that critical moment, Su Su and Yu Shi, who had been dispatched as a backup, successfully used a drone to capture comprehensive video footage of the leftover stock processing at the recycling warehouse.
They immediately sent the video to Qian Xixi, who then presented it to a stunned Mr Wu and Mr Mu Jr. The negotiation resumed. Faced with undeniable evidence, Mr Wu, with Mr Mu Jr present, announced that Pineapple Xpress would accept the Live Streaming Alliance's proposal to adopt the "sole agents" model. He confirmed that all leftover stock would now be sold at discounted prices through live streaming platforms, and new contracts would be drafted.
Mr Song was visibly disappointed, while Qian Xixi displayed a confident smile, having successfully secured a victory for the Live Streaming Alliance. Chen Lang, who had been reconsidering his stance, arrived at the negotiation venue only to find that it had already concluded. Back at Rui Live, Qian Xixi was greeted by a bustling and lively office, which brought a happy smile to her face.
News of their negotiation victory had spread quickly, and various live streaming companies who had previously distanced themselves now eagerly sought to join their alliance. Yu Shi sarcastically noted their sudden enthusiasm. Chen Lang arrived to congratulate Qian Xixi, but Zhang Jiayun confronted him, criticizing his opportunistic behavior and earlier withdrawal. Chen Lang defended himself, explaining that unlike Duan Ran, he had employees depending on him and couldn't afford to take risks without a safety net.
Zhang Jiayun expressed her disappointment in his excuses, and Chen Lang left. The Rui Live team celebrated their success with a cake, welcoming Qian Xixi back as CEO. Qian Xixi, in a heartfelt gesture, gave the first slice of cake to Zhang Jiayun, thanking her for her immense contributions. However, Zhang Jiayun was still distracted by her conversation with Chen Lang. Later that evening, Duan Ran video called Qian Xixi.
He was with his mother, who was praying for Duan Shengyun's successful surgery, and mentioned he had also acquired an amulet for Qian Xixi. Qian Xixi was overjoyed to hear that Duan Shengyun's surgery went smoothly. She asked Duan Ran to return soon so they could celebrate their first Singles' Day together. Duan Ran worried that Qian Xixi would be too busy managing both Rui Live as CEO and leading the Live Streaming Alliance, leaving no time for him. Qian Xixi, overhearing this, proposed that Zhang Jiayun continue to serve as the CEO of Rui Live. Zhang Jiayun, coincidentally passing by, overheard Qian Xixi's suggestion.
