Something Just Like This Episode 4 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Qian Xixi, Duan Shengyun, and Duan Ran discussed Chen Lang's recent actions, concluding that they were premeditated. Duan Ran protested being blamed, asking why it happened only when he visited. Qian Xixi explained that Chen Lang deliberately chose the day of Duan Ran's visit to create the impression that his departure was due to his position being threatened, making Duan Ran an unwitting catalyst.
Duan Shengyun concurred, noting Duan Ran's usual obtrusive behavior could easily lead to misunderstandings with Chen Lang, who he believed to be narrow-minded. Duan Shengyun revealed that his private investigations showed Chen Lang had secured new investors and established a new company called Cloud Live.
He explained that the Sanya incident was merely a "feint shot" to divert their attention to the Pineapple Xpress live broadcast, allowing Chen Lang to covertly recruit Rui's broadcasters, employees, and clients for his new venture, carefully following legal procedures. Meanwhile, Chen Lang made a phone call to Yuan Yuan, one of Rui's top broadcasters, trying to persuade her to join Cloud Live.
Yuan Yuan politely declined to sign immediately, noting her high termination fee and suggesting it would be more cost-effective for Chen Lang to wait for her contract to expire. Chen Lang then tried to secure a verbal agreement from her not to join other companies if she left Rui. Although Chen Lang left behind Rui's equipment and obsolete inventory, Duan Ran pointed out these assets were useless without broadcasters.
Duan Ran insisted QE, as an 80% shareholder, should sue Chen Lang for acting without consent. However, Duan Shengyun dismissed the idea of a lawsuit as pointless and too slow, urging for a more forgiving approach and explaining that the business world requires both rationality and realism. In a separate conversation, Duan Shengyun discussed Rui's precarious situation with Old Shen, a board member.
Old Shen, noting QE's year-long "blood transfusion" into Rui and Rui's current "hollowed-out" state, advocated for "cutting losses" and selling Rui. Duan Shengyun countered that abandoning Rui would signify a complete strategic retreat from QE's online business. He mentioned that QE was in a critical phase of transformation and needed experienced people like Chen Lang, especially as the board of directors would likely halt investment in Rui.
Until a resolution could be found with Chen Lang, Duan Shengyun instructed Qian Xixi to return to work at QE. The next day, as Qian Xixi, Yu Shi, and Su Su prepared to pack up Rui's office, Yu Shi confirmed that Rui Live was temporarily shut down indefinitely, and everyone was to return to QE. Yu Shi said he would go back to managing accounts in QE's basement, and Su Su was also expected to return.
Qian Xixi, however, was distraught, questioning if they truly wanted to return to mundane 9-to-5 jobs after experiencing the dynamic environment of Rui. She passionately reminded them how Rui Live had transformed her from selling nothing a day to thousands of clothes an hour, allowing her to connect with thousands of people. She refused to go back to her old life and vowed to dedicate her youth to Rui.
She also appealed to Duan Ran, stating that QE could not satisfy his ambition, but Rui could provide him with everything he desired and was the ideal place to achieve his goals. Moved by her words, Duan Ran, Yu Shi, and Su Su decided to stay and fight to save Rui. Soon after, the landlord arrived at Rui's office, demanding overdue rent for over a month, explaining that Chen Lang's delay in lease renewal caused the issue.
Qian Xixi tried to negotiate for a week's extension, citing the company's difficulties, but the landlord was unyielding. Duan Ran intervened, calmly defusing the tension. He offered the landlord a QE membership card, promising significant discounts at all QE stores, and assured her that Rui was a subsidiary of QE. The landlord, placated, agreed to a two-day extension for the rent payment.
Meanwhile, Qian Xixi went to Pineapple Xpress to settle the final payment with Mr Wu, also fulfilling a promise she had made to him to clean the men's toilet. Duan Ran, learning of her whereabouts, rushed over and found her scrubbing toilets. He argued that this was not the time for such tasks, given Rui's precarious situation and Yu Shi and Su Su waiting. Qian Xixi, however, insisted it had meaning, refusing to believe Rui was finished.
Mr Wu, surprised to find Qian Xixi actually cleaning the toilet, apologized for the predicament. He revealed that their actual sales target for the special event was 3. 2 million, but Qian Xixi had exceeded it by 2 million (achieving a total of 5. 2 million). He admitted to deliberately inflating the publicly stated target to motivate them.
Mr Wu further revealed that Chen Lang's Sanya plot was a "feint shot" aimed at sacrificing their Pineapple Xpress event to facilitate his company transfer. He acknowledged that without Qian Xixi's extraordinary efforts, he would have been ruined. Expressing deep admiration for her capabilities, Mr Wu promised to entrust future business to Qian Xixi, but only if she succeeded in reviving Rui Live.
He also praised Zhang Jiayun's impressive sales of the Nishiyama Yohji collaboration products, remarking that all the bosses regretted she wasn't an anchor. At the same time, Duan Shengyun's secretary collected Chen Lang for a meeting. On his way to Duan Shengyun's office, Chen Lang made sarcastic remarks, accusing Duan Shengyun of opportunism and being an "old fox," doubting his authority to make decisions without the board's approval.
During their meeting, Chen Lang expressed his view that wealth and status, which Duan Shengyun and Duan Ran took for granted, were lifelong dreams for people like him. Duan Shengyun reiterated his initial promise to Chen Lang to make him Rui's leader and decision-maker when QE acquired Rui. He reminded Chen Lang that he had readily agreed to Chen Lang's demands in Sanya, including allowing him to buy back shares at the original price and ensuring Duan Ran's non-interference.
As his ultimate concession, Duan Shengyun offered to increase Chen Lang's shares to 49%, making him the largest shareholder with absolute decision-making power, thereby relinquishing QE's majority stake. Despite this significant offer, Chen Lang firmly declined, thanking Duan Shengyun for saving Rui in the past but stating his decision to pursue a separate path from QE.
Duan Shengyun accepted his decision, telling Chen Lang he would become a successful businessman, but not necessarily the most excellent one, adding that Chen Lang would understand his words one day. Later, by the sea, Qian Xixi and Duan Ran reflected on Chen Lang's character. Duan Ran criticized Chen Lang for being overly calculative, taking away all valuable assets like broadcasters and clients, and leaving behind useless equipment and inventory.
He doubted Chen Lang's proclaimed affection for Rui, remarking that Qian Xixi's feelings were far deeper. Qian Xixi then shared her unique story of joining Rui. She explained that she was so curious about Duan Shengyun's vision for Rui, especially when the QE board opposed his acquisition, that she resigned from her floor manager position at QE to audition as a broadcaster.
She recounted her first chaotic interview: while Yuan Yuan was changing, Qian Xixi was unexpectedly pushed onto the stage to warm up the audience. She spoke like a street vendor, even accidentally misquoting a 600 yuan dress as 60 yuan, almost causing a huge loss. Chen Lang scolded her harshly afterwards, but a miracle happened: in just 15 minutes, her broadcast gained an unprecedented 3,000 new followers. This extraordinary achievement convinced Chen Lang to hire her.
Qian Xixi emotionally expressed her deep attachment to Rui, having watched it grow from its infancy, and declared she couldn't bear to see it perish. Holding Duan Ran's hand, she made a heartfelt vow to the sea: to revive Rui, save its future, and save their world. Duan Ran, in turn, promised his unwavering support, echoing her earlier sentiment that Rui could fulfill his ambitions, and pledged to ensure it would not fail.
Separately, Chen Lang attempted to recruit Zhang Jiayun for Cloud Live, praising her talent after seeing her successful Nishiyama Yohji broadcast. However, Zhang Jiayun rebuffed his offer, stating that she had previously rejected Qian Xixi multiple times, implying Chen Lang had no chance given her close relationship with Qian Xixi. Chen Lang, acknowledging her refusal, understood his efforts were futile.
