Something Just Like This Episode 38 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Ouyang presented a collection of design sketches from Professor Strange, a renowned European designer, suggesting his high profile would enhance Rui's new brand. Qian Xixi, however, immediately voiced her concern, deeming the designs too high-end and expensive for Rui's "grassroots and affordable" brand positioning. She advocated for a mid-range, cost-effective approach. Ouyang countered, arguing for a broader vision and aligning the brand with Jiang Zheyang's sophisticated image.
Qian Xixi maintained that Jiang Zheyang's personal style did not represent the general public and found the proposed designs overly complex and costly. Observing their heated debate, Duan Ran intervened, acknowledging the validity of both their arguments. He emphasized the immediate need for a clear brand positioning and proposed they all take time to reconsider their ideas, aiming for a solution that best served the brand's interests. Both Qian Xixi and Ouyang agreed to his mediation, and the meeting concluded.
Later, Duan Ran sought out Qian Xixi, who was still upset about the meeting. He gently chided her for acting childishly during a company management meeting, explaining his need to remain neutral and prioritize the company's welfare as a shareholder. Qian Xixi accused him of being a fence-sitter, but Duan Ran reassured her that he would never oppose her wishes.
She continued to express her frustration, describing Professor Strange's designs as "ugly and expensive," and inferior to Mr Five's, questioning why Ouyang hadn't considered Mr Five. Duan Ran calmly responded that talented individuals tend to be broad-minded, a sentiment Qian Xixi found quite philosophical. To fully appease her, he affectionately kissed her multiple times, after which she declared herself content. Zhang Jiayun visited Mr Five, asking her to alter a favorite skirt for an upcoming, important interview in Shanghai.
She requested updated measurements, having become slimmer from her recent efforts. As they walked to the workshop, Zhang Jiayun mentioned Ouyang's search for a high-profile designer and encouraged Mr Five to put herself forward. Mr Five, however, stated she had "given up on that" and was content assisting customers at Cat Street alongside Mao. Zhang Jiayun playfully challenged Mr Five’s contentment, eventually convincing her to take the new measurements.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zheyang arrived at Ouyang's office, playfully introducing himself as her delivery person and offering her kumquat lemonade, saying he noticed she'd been working hard. Ouyang, amused by his "smooth-talker" demeanor, quickly steered the conversation to business, asking about the team's feedback on Professor Strange's designs. Jiang Zheyang confirmed the proposal was rejected due to its high cost.
He added that he personally found the designs "a little out there" and incompatible with his preference for "simple, bold and honest" styles. He also emphasized that Professor Strange's aesthetic was misaligned with Rui's brand identity, urging Ouyang to reconsider her choice. Mr Ding visited Chen Lang, finding him drinking alone.
Aware of Zhang Jiayun's impending departure overseas, Mr Ding offered Chen Lang another chance, though he mocked Chen Lang for his self-pity over a woman, suggesting it was why Zhang Jiayun had left him. Chen Lang then proposed a new strategy to undermine Rui: launching his own private label. He revealed that he had once suggested to Zhang Jiayun that Mr Five create her own brand, but the idea never materialized. Now, he intended to pursue this plan himself.
Mr Ding, amused by Chen Lang's "sly" approach, readily agreed to the plan, promising full financial backing to "destroy Duan Ran." Chen Lang, for his part, dismissed the need for other resources, requesting only money. Later, Mr Five's phone ran out of battery, leading her to Ouyang's office to find a charger. Ouyang seized the opportunity to chat, asking for Mr Five's opinion on Professor Strange's designs.
Mr Five frankly stated her dislike, describing them as "too over the top and too avant-garde." This immediately struck Ouyang as familiar, leading her to realize that Mr Five’s aesthetic preferences were identical to Jiang Zheyang's, finally clarifying why Jiang Zheyang was so eager to collaborate with Mr Five. The next morning, Qian Xixi prepared "Top Scholar Congee" for Zhang Jiayun, sharing a historical anecdote to wish her success in her upcoming Cambridge examinations.
Qian Xixi playfully suggested that if Zhang Jiayun excelled, she wouldn't have to endure Ouyang's "holier-than-thou attitude." Zhang Jiayun, now preparing to leave for Shanghai, promised to work diligently for their shared dream of success. Before Zhang Jiayun departed, they shared a heartfelt hug, with Qian Xixi reminding her to contact her parents upon arrival and prioritize her safety in Shanghai. While Mr Five continued her design work at Rui, Chen Lang struggled with his own team at Cloud Live.
He found their designs unsatisfactory and pressed them to accelerate the development of his private label. Soon after, he encountered Mr Five and Mao on the street. Mao immediately recognized Chen Lang, making a sharp remark about his "contemptible face." Chen Lang, unperturbed, disclosed that he had researched Mr Five's past, including how her graduation project designs for the Pretty Island Original International Fashion Week were commercialized by a large company, but she refused to alter them.
He then openly invited Mr Five to join Cloud Live, promising extensive promotional support for her designs, particularly given Cloud Live's sponsorship of the upcoming fashion week. Mao firmly rejected the offer, stating their contentment at Rui. Undeterred, Chen Lang quickly handed his business card to Mao, hinting at a continued hope that Mr Five would reconsider. Zhang Jiayun first returned to Shanghai to visit her parents, who expressed their worries about her upcoming move.
She then unexpectedly met Chen Lang's mother, who thanked her for taking care of Chen Lang at work and entrusted her with many items to pass on to him, asking Zhang Jiayun to urge Chen Lang to visit home more often. Afterward, Zhang Jiayun attended her Cambridge interview, confidently stating her readiness for a new start. Unbeknownst to anyone at Rui, Mr Five's clothing designs were secretly photographed by an unidentified person.
Six months later, Rui's "Vine" brand, a private label developed by Jiang Zheyang and designed by Mr Five, launched with a live stream. Jiang Zheyang introduced the flagship shirt, and Mr Five showcased her versatile "pants-skirt" design, explaining her use of recycled fabrics and Jiang Zheyang's concept of "tenacious freedom." The live stream was a massive success, topping all other streamers and experiencing overwhelming orders, much to Duan Ran's delight.
He praised Ouyang for her crucial role in the brand's success. While acknowledging Ouyang, Mr Five, and Jiang Zheyang as "great contributors," Qian Xixi showed a hint of internal displeasure. However, the celebration was cut short when Rui staff discovered Cloud Live's live stream, featuring Cola and Little Yellow Duck, was selling identical clothing.
Chen Lang, whose stream was underperforming compared to Rui's and facing accusations of plagiarism in his own comment section, instructed his streamers to offer deep discounts and instantly produce a patent certificate, claiming their designs were independently developed and legally registered to quell audience doubts. Rui's team was enraged by Cloud Live's blatant copying, with Duan Ran accusing Chen Lang of having "no bottom line" and illegally patenting stolen designs.
The pressing question was how Chen Lang obtained Mr Five's drafts, leading to suspicions of an internal mole. Qian Xixi worried that Cloud Live's earlier patent filing made Rui look like the plagiarizer and advocated for urgent crisis management over a lengthy lawsuit.
Ouyang, Jiang Zheyang, and Qian Xixi quickly decided on a two-pronged approach: Ouyang and Jiang Zheyang would go live to clarify the situation by reminding fans of Mr Five's consistent design style, while Duan Ran would gather evidence for legal action. Backstage, a distraught Mr Five confronted Mao, accusing him of stealing her designs for Chen Lang.
Despite her suspicion being fueled by his mother's illness and need for money, Mao vehemently denied betraying her, reminding her of his unwavering commitment as her boyfriend. Ouyang consulted a contact about the plagiarism, initially suggesting generating online buzz, but was advised against it. Her contact warned that creating a "big stink" would be counterproductive, recommending instead to focus on gathering design evidence and pursuing legal action.
Meanwhile, Qian Xixi confided in Duan Ran that Mr Five still suspected Mao, citing his mother's illness as a motive, though Mao denied it. Duan Ran disagreed with Mr Five's suspicion, suggesting that Chen Lang had likely planted another "rat" in their company, and cautioned against rushing the investigation, preferring to wait for the culprit to expose themselves.
Duan Ran then announced that his father's legal team had already sent Mr Five's design drafts to the Patent Office to file for patent opposition, aiming to prove that Cloud Live's designs lacked "novelty" and initiate a copyright infringement lawsuit. Qian Xixi raised concerns that a prolonged lawsuit would halt their sales and seize their stock for evaluation, severely impacting their business, but Duan Ran insisted the lawsuit was unavoidable to hold Chen Lang accountable.
Zhang Jiayun unexpectedly returned from Shanghai, walking into a conversation between Qian Xixi and Duan Ran about Chen Lang. Feeling saddened by the situation, she announced her intention to meet Chen Lang the next day. She then revealed she had already gathered "rock solid evidence" from the Singles' Day incident, including video from the fashion market and delivery records, proving that Chen Lang had supplied Rui with imitation goods.
Duan Ran expressed concern about the severe repercussions of reporting Chen Lang, which could lead to Cloud Live's downfall. However, Qian Xixi countered that Chen Lang "deserved it for what he has done." The next day, Zhang Jiayun met Chen Lang, delivering gifts from his mother. Chen Lang explained that he had told his mother they were "working together" to ease her worries, as Zhang Jiayun was her only acquaintance.
Zhang Jiayun then confronted him directly about Mr Five's designs and her evidence regarding the imitation goods. Chen Lang, while not denying the imitation goods, attempted to shift the blame to Zhu Wan. Enraged, Zhang Jiayun demanded to know what other despicable acts he was still capable of, listing his repeated attacks on Rui, including anti-fans, spies, imitation goods, account suspensions, and now the theft of Mr Five's designs.
