Something Just Like This Episode 40 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
Duan Sheng Yun acquired all of Cloud Live's shares from Ding Ding, now holding sixty percent equity. He then decided that Chen Lang would continue to operate Cloud Live and tasked him with bringing the company back on track within a year. Chen Lang, expressing deep gratitude, was touched by Duan Sheng Yun's continued trust. Shen Jiang Tao harbored ambitions to transform QE into a comprehensive entertainment center, shifting all retail sales online.
However, Duan Sheng Yun consistently disagreed with this vision. Shen Ding Ding, Shen Jiang Tao's son, saw Duan Sheng Yun as a conservative and actively encouraged his father to seize control of the company. Shen Jiang Tao, reluctant to betray Duan Sheng Yun, initially hesitated. Shen Ding Ding then revealed that after Cloud Live ran into trouble, he immediately sold his shares through an investment company, turning a profit of over a million.
Shen Jiang Tao was surprised to learn that Duan Sheng Yun was the buyer of those shares. Later, Shen Jiang Tao admonished Shen Ding Ding for nearly jeopardizing his larger plan by competing with Duan Ran, instructing him to report any matters concerning Duan Sheng Yun immediately. Shen Ding Ding remained confident that Cloud Live, with a three-month account suspension, was beyond saving and would disappear from the market.
Meanwhile, Qian Xixi and Duan Ran walked home together embracing, discussing Shen Ding Ding. They noted a significant change in him; he used to be quiet but now seemed argumentative, challenging their every word. They reminisced about his childhood, when he was chubby and easily fooled, recalling how they once tricked him into giving them his four-wheel-drive toy car.
The next day, Qian Xixi and Duan Ran prepared to welcome Shen Jiang Tao, who was expected to deliver a holiday bonus. To their surprise, Shen Ding Ding arrived instead, announcing that his father was occupied with a crucial meeting and had sent him to conduct an on-site inspection as QE's representative. Simultaneously, Shen Jiang Tao had unexpectedly called a board meeting, pushing Duan Sheng Yun to attend without prior notice, leaving Duan Sheng Yun unaware of the agenda.
Chen Lang, finding himself with nothing to do after Cloud Live’s suspension, was helping Zhang Jiayun at Rui. He recognized Shen Ding Ding leaving the office. Chen Lang informed Zhang Jiayun that Shen Ding Ding was his former "Mr. Ding," the anonymous investor who had orchestrated his actions and coerced Zhu Wan into stealing Rui's designs and poaching its talent. He confessed that he had been manipulated by this "Mr. Ding" into going against the Duan family.
At the unscheduled board meeting, Duan Sheng Yun faced accusations from other directors about his private acquisition of Cloud Live, which they feared would operate independently and compete with QE. Duan Sheng Yun clarified that his intention was to develop Cloud Live for six months and, if successful, merge it into QE.
He argued for maintaining both online and offline operations, even at a loss, steadfastly believing that online retail was merely an extension of the offline experience, which remained irreplaceable. Shen Jiang Tao countered, asserting that offline retail had no future and that QE must transform into a comprehensive entertainment center. He proposed closing most apparel stores and unprofitable supermarkets within two to three years, shifting those sales online, and focusing QE on dining, cinemas, and education centers.
The other board members largely agreed with Shen Jiang Tao, but Duan Sheng Yun reiterated his conviction that the direct human interaction of offline shopping could never be replicated. Driven by Shen Jiang Tao, the board moved to vote on the company's future strategy. Feeling cornered, Duan Sheng Yun, in a fit of anger, resigned from his position. Upon receiving a phone call from Duan Ran’s mother, Qian Xixi and Duan Ran quickly rushed home.
After Duan Sheng Yun's departure, Chen Lang and Zhang Jiayun analyzed the shareholdings of Rui Live. They realized that if Shen Jiang Tao became the CEO of QE, his and Shen Ding Ding's combined stake would reach forty-five percent. Acquiring another six percent would grant them controlling interest in Rui Live. Duan Sheng Yun later confronted Shen Jiang Tao, revealing he had been investigating Loud Capital's investor, identifying "Richard Shen" as Shen Ding Ding.
He connected Shen Ding Ding's actions to Chen Lang's past departure and Shen Jiang Tao's efforts to manipulate the sale of Cloud Live shares. Duan Sheng Yun expressed his profound disappointment in Shen Jiang Tao, believing their friendship and shared vision were betrayed. Shen Jiang Tao admitted he orchestrated these events for his son, Shen Ding Ding, who he felt had always been overshadowed by Duan Ran.
Shen Jiang Tao acknowledged Duan Sheng Yun had always treated him well and saved him from past business failures, but insisted he was simply ahead of his time before and was now confident he would succeed. Duan Sheng Yun, however, reminded Shen Jiang Tao not to underestimate the capabilities of the younger generation. Back home, Duan Ran and Qian Xixi questioned Duan Sheng Yun about his decision to buy Cloud Live's shares.
Duan Sheng Yun explained he did it to support Chen Lang, whom he admired as a capable young man, despite his past mistakes. He hoped that Duan Ran, Qian Xixi, and Chen Lang could unite and build something significant together. Regarding Shen Jiang Tao, Duan Sheng Yun stated he had no intention of continuing their conflict, attributing their differences to conflicting business philosophies rather than personal animosity.
He reiterated his belief in the enduring value of offline retail, recalling the genuine joy his mother experienced interacting with customers in her small grocery store. Duan Sheng Yun then entrusted his hopes for the future to Duan Ran and Qian Xixi, declaring that the future belonged to the youth. Meanwhile, Shen Ding Ding congratulated his father on his new position as chairman of QE, confident that his business philosophy was far more advanced than Duan Sheng Yun's.
Shen Jiang Tao confessed to feeling a complex mix of emotions, acknowledging this as his second betrayal of a friend. Shen Ding Ding, promising not to let him regret it, urged his father to secure the board's support to gain control of Rui Live, as its online transformation was crucial for QE's overall restructuring. A flashback revealed Shen Ding Ding's deep-seated resentment stemming from childhood memories of Duan Ran teasing him and tricking him out of his toy car and calling him fat.
