Something Just Like This Episode 37 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Yuanbao reconciled with her father, and as a representative of Hualu Coffee, she signed a long-term strategic partnership contract with Duan Ran for Rui Live. Feeling happy for Yuanbao, Qian Xixi noted their substantial gains from Singles' Day, but expressed sadness at Yuanbao's departure. Yuanbao confirmed her resignation, explaining that increased production demands at her family business required her to return and assist her father as CEO. Duan Ran congratulated her, wishing her well in her new role.
Before leaving, Yuanbao presented Qian Xixi with a lovely coffee capsule gift box, explaining that she would miss the handmade coffee Qian Xixi used to brew for her every morning. Yuanbao expressed deep gratitude to Qian Xixi, acknowledging that Qian Xixi was the first person who made her feel like an independent and remarkable individual, never pressuring her for rent, and bringing her into Rui Live. Qian Xixi, in turn, praised Yuanbao's unique insights and maturity.
Yuanbao then said her goodbyes to colleagues, including Zhang Jiayun, Su Su, and Yu Shi. She confided a secret about her brother to Zhang Jiayun and advised her to call if needed, reminding her to avoid late-night snacks. To Su Su, Yuanbao offered all her snacks and promised frequent calls, even if she was bad at games. To Yu Shi, she encouraged him to "work hard" as a man.
Before taking a group photo on a Xiaomi phone, Yuanbao encouraged everyone to speak up and share their burdens, and for men to sometimes set aside their pride. Meanwhile, Chen Lang reviewed the Singles' Day sales report, noting that while Cloud Live made it into the top ten live streaming companies, they still lost to Rui Live. He was visibly displeased and sent his exhausted staff home to rest, declining his assistant's offer to stay.
Later, Mr Ding called Chen Lang, angrily chastising him for being decisively defeated by Duan Ran on Singles' Day despite having advantages. Chen Lang took the opportunity to inquire about Mr Ding's grudge against Duan Ran or QE, but Mr Ding dismissed it as irrelevant, asserting his authority as an investor. Mr Ding demanded a recovery plan within three days. Chen Lang, however, refused, stating he was tired of despicable acts and only wished to conduct business honorably.
Separately, Little Yellow Duck approached Chen Lang about the termination fee for her contract with Rui. She offered to pay it using a salary advance, but Chen Lang dismissed the idea, offering to cover the entire penalty fee on behalf of his company to expedite her departure from Rui.
During a board meeting at Rui, Mr Shen commended the team's efforts and Rui's impressive achievements over the past six months, noting that Duan Ran had fulfilled his promise to the board. He announced the approval of an employee stock option plan, where Rui acquired 35% of the group's shares for distribution to its employees. Mr Shen then revealed Zhang Jiayun's resignation, expressing regret but understanding her decision.
He then announced that Qian Xixi would resume her role as CEO due to her outstanding recent performance, a decision met with applause. Qian Xixi then presented her vision for Rui, proposing to expand their successful partnership model (like with Hualu Coffee) to other industries such as beauty, furniture, and food, aiming to establish a safe, stable, and mutually beneficial sales network. She confirmed that a new strategic cooperation agreement with Hualu Coffee had already been signed.
Mr Shen praised her strategic foresight. Ouyang then presented her plan to establish an independent brand for Rui, arguing that live broadcasting companies should move beyond being mere downstream sellers. She specifically proposed a clothing brand endorsed by Jiang Zheyang, leveraging his millions of followers to ensure investment and customer base. Zhang Jiayun confirmed her plans to take a break and pursue an MBA at the Cambridge Business School, receiving Mr Shen’s support.
Duan Ran, however, made a seemingly unexpected proposal: a "minor renovation" for his office, particularly an elegant, clean, and spacious lavatory. Qian Xixi reacted with surprise and disapproval. Following his earlier conversation with Little Yellow Duck, Chen Lang met Qian Xixi, handing her Little Yellow Duck's termination fee. He explained that Zhang Jiayun wouldn't answer his calls, so he was giving it to Qian Xixi.
Chen Lang also tried to explain that he was not responsible for the counterfeit goods, wanting Zhang Jiayun to know the truth. Qian Xixi, however, reminded him of Zhang Jiayun's pragmatic nature, stating that she only believed in concrete evidence and wouldn't accept mere explanations. She then revealed that Zhang Jiayun was soon heading to the Cambridge Business School for further studies and advised Chen Lang to make a clean break with her.
Unbeknownst to Chen Lang, Zhang Jiayun was at a security control center, meticulously reviewing surveillance footage from a clothing wholesale market, specifically identifying the notorious brawler Shi Lao San, intending to gather evidence to help her friend. In line with Ouyang's plan for an independent brand, she and Jiang Zheyang discussed potential designers. Ouyang suggested a renowned and talented British designer, highly influential in Europe. Jiang Zheyang agreed.
Ouyang raised concerns about the designer's high fees and whether his style would align with Jiang Zheyang's preferences. Jiang Zheyang offered to use his private savings for the initial costs, and Ouyang jokingly offered to sell her house. They ultimately decided to have the designer submit a draft proposal first before making a final decision. Yu Shi was busy overseeing the renovation of Ouyang's new office, which was nearing completion.
Ouyang visited him, asking what Qian Xixi had discussed with him. During their conversation, Ouyang, knowing Yu Shi's affection for Su Su, subtly tried to "bribe" him. She offered to send him a drone from her friend in the UK, knowing Su Su liked them, for Yu Shi to give to Su Su. Yu Shi readily accepted. Ouyang then pressed him again about what Qian Xixi had said earlier.
The company continued to recruit new employees and also proceeded with renovations. Su Su, seeing the influx of new male candidates, jokingly asked Yu Shi to help her find a future husband among them. However, Yu Shi found fault with every potential suitor, dismissing them with various criticisms. Duan Ran, meanwhile, was vehemently pushing for a luxurious, oversized lavatory to be installed directly within his own office. Qian Xixi strongly opposed this extravagant plan, calling it excessive.
However, Ouyang unexpectedly sided with Duan Ran, arguing that the quality of a company's washrooms reflects its overall standard and is a form of employee benefit. With Ouyang's support, Qian Xixi found herself outnumbered 2-on-1 and reluctantly agreed to the lavatory renovation. Yu Shi later reviewed the renovation budget, noting that while Ouyang's office renovation costs were within reason, Duan Ran's lavish lavatory project significantly exceeded the allocated budget, totaling 160,000.
During the new employee recruitment interviews, Qian Xixi and Ouyang clashed over a candidate named Lai. Lai, an art graduate specializing in inspired makeup with a bold style and some online following, expressed a desire to be a professional streamer and boasted knowledge of cosmetic brands. Qian Xixi, having reviewed his videos, felt he lacked the essential qualities of a streamer, deeming his content too self-expressive, ungrounded, and without a distinct personal style that would resonate with viewers.
She emphasized that a good streamer makes the audience feel relatable. Ouyang, however, believed Lai had a solid foundation and could be trained, encouraging him to develop his unique personality. Duan Ran suggested they "provisionally hire" Lai and give him a trial broadcast, but Qian Xixi, confident in her judgment, rejected the idea. Ouyang supported Duan Ran's suggestion, leading to a 2-on-1 situation where Qian Xixi grudgingly conceded to keeping Lai's resume on file.
Later, with thirteen provisional candidates, Qian Xixi proposed a voting system where each of the three (Qian Xixi, Ouyang, Duan Ran) would select three candidates. Ouyang chose candidates 2, 7, and 8. Qian Xixi selected 5, 8, and 9. Duan Ran, feeling the pressure, carefully chose candidate 3 (a male salesperson to balance the gender ratio), candidate 8 (a model with a micro-store, good traffic, and high emotional intelligence), and candidate 5.
Despite the diverse selections, everyone ended up with at least one preferred candidate. Qian Xixi expressed a hope that they hadn't made any misjudgments. Ouyang, however, confidently stated that as management, their overall strategic thinking would align. Duan Ran, feeling the intense pressure of the voting process, admitted it was exhausting. Later, at home with Zhang Jiayun, Qian Xixi vented her frustrations.
Zhang Jiayun lightheartedly praised Qian Xixi's meticulousness, joking that her house's cleanliness had vastly improved since Qian Xixi moved in, even suggesting she start a housekeeping company if she ever lost her job. Qian Xixi then complained about Duan Ran's lavish lavatory plans and Ouyang's support, accusing Ouyang of deliberately stirring trouble and forming a clique against her. Zhang Jiayun laughed, dismissing it as the typical overthinking of people in love.
Duan Ran then called Qian Xixi, who initially refused to answer, but Zhang Jiayun urged her to pick up. During the call, Duan Ran mentioned he had wanted to take her to a Japanese bar earlier, but sensing her continued displeasure about the office renovation, he reassured her that his relationship with Ouyang was purely professional, emphasizing that only Qian Xixi occupied his heart.
To further pacify her, he announced that he would not proceed with the office lavatory renovation after all, realizing the project was too extensive and he didn't want to waste Qian Xixi's hard-earned money. Hearing this, Qian Xixi's anger quickly subsided, and she happily agreed to go to the Japanese bar with him the next day. They flirted on the phone, with Qian Xixi playfully complaining about his sweetness, while Zhang Jiayun watched, feeling "sour" from their affectionate exchange.
