Something Just Like This Episode 41 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
As children, Duan Ran once convinced Ding Ding that two cars placed together for 81 days under high voltage could combine to form a new vehicle. Believing him, Ding Ding handed over his Buster Sonic RC car. However, this was merely a prank by Duan Ran, who found Ding Ding easy to fool. From Ding Ding's perspective, Duan Ran looked down on him and bullied him, which over time led to a self-abasing and distorted desire for revenge.
Years later, Duan Ran and Qian Xixi reminisced about their childhood antics, still failing to recognize the impact their actions had on Ding Ding, who, in Duan Ran's eyes, was simply petty for holding grudges and too easily tricked. Duan Ran remained confident that Ding Ding could never gain controlling interest in Rui Live. Meanwhile, Yu Shi was visibly troubled.
Ding Ding approached Yu Shi, informing him that his father was preparing to assume the post of QE Group's chairman, which would put QE Group under the Shen family's command. Ding Ding outlined a "big plan." Duan Ran, noticing Yu Shi's distress, asked him about it. Yu Shi lied, claiming he was almost hit by a car and the driver threatened him.
Duan Ran reacted fiercely, declaring that no one but he could bully Yu Shi, and he would fight anyone else who dared to. Yu Shi was touched by Duan Ran's loyalty. Ding Ding then formally requested Yu Shi allow him to hold his 6% shares as a proxy. Ding Ding reminded Yu Shi of how he and his father had helped Yu Shi's master and his family when his master died in jail, leaving significant debts.
Under this thinly veiled threat to his master's wife and junior, and evoking his master's "spirit in heaven," Yu Shi felt compelled to agree. He later offered a remorseful apology to Duan Ran, acknowledging his betrayal. Ding Ding then convened a company meeting, announcing his representation of the QE Group board and their dissatisfaction with Rui Live's operations. He declared a decision to re-elect the CEO, stating the need for someone aligned with his father's vision for QE's transformation.
Duan Ran challenged this, stating that Rui's operations were sound and that such a significant decision required a staff vote. Ding Ding proceeded to ask Yu Shi about his shareholdings and formally requested that Yu Shi allow him to hold his 6% shares as a proxy. With Yu Shi's forced consent, Ding Ding's holdings surpassed 50%, granting him majority control. He immediately appointed Yu Shi as the new CEO.
Yu Shi vehemently opposed the decision, offering his shares but refusing the CEO position, insisting that Duan Ran and Qian Xixi were better suited. Ding Ding, having already prepared the appointment letter, dismissed Yu Shi's objections, declaring Rui Live was now under his command. In protest, Su Su angrily stormed out of the meeting. Yu Shi frantically pursued Su Su, trying to explain his actions.
He revealed that his master, who had raised him, guided him into the industry, and even sponsored his education, had died in prison after facing legal trouble and leaving his family in dire financial straits. It was Shen Jiang Tao, Ding Ding's father, who had stepped in to assist his master's family and brought Yu Shi into QE, making him deeply indebted to the Shen family.
Su Su, however, was unmoved, arguing that his obligation to the Shen family did not justify betraying his friendship with Duan Ran, their relationship, or his loyalty to his other colleagues. Accusing him of betraying everyone, she ended their relationship, leaving Yu Shi heartbroken and powerless. Ding Ding proceeded to dismiss Qian Xixi and Duan Ran from their management roles. He reassigned Qian Xixi to her former position as a broadcaster and appointed Duan Ran as her operational manager.
Duan Ran erupted in anger, asserting that Ding Ding was unfit for his position and had no right to dictate to Qian Xixi. Ding Ding coolly retorted that he had learned the art of bullying from Duan Ran himself. Yu Shi attempted to intercede on their behalf but was sharply reprimanded by Ding Ding, who branded him a traitor and urged him to embrace his new role as CEO to "climb higher."
Ding Ding explained that his own busy schedule, managing an investment firm and a fund, and checking US stocks at night, prevented him from taking the CEO position and reiterated that Yu Shi was merely repaying the Shen family's kindness. The rest of the team, including Mr Five, were outraged by Yu Shi's betrayal and considered resigning en masse. However, Ou Yang, who had just returned from vacation, persuaded them to stay.
She reminded them that Rui Live was the fruit of their collective labor and couldn't be abandoned lightly. While acknowledging Ding Ding's current power due to his majority shares, she advocated for them to "bide their time" and "settle scores later." Ding Ding overheard this conversation but did not confront Ou Yang. As Qian Xixi prepared for her return to broadcasting, Duan Ran meticulously organized her dressing room. Ou Yang remarked on Duan Ran's thoughtfulness and kindness toward Xi Xi.
Feeling the weight of the company's changed circumstances, Duan Ran confessed to Ou Yang that Rui was no longer the same and he could no longer provide her with opportunities for professional growth. He suggested she consider leaving if she had other options, assuring her he would understand. Ou Yang, however, expressed her unwavering commitment to staying and supporting Duan Ran, believing he still had the potential to create a "new era."
Ding Ding then addressed all the Rui Live staff, introducing himself as the new captain and promising the formidable resources of QE and his personal financial expertise. He declared a new direction for Rui, abandoning the sale of leftover stock and clothing from lower-tier city workshops in favor of endorsing only major brands like Baoqi and Maya.
Qian Xixi publicly challenged his strategy, explaining that the vitality of China's internet industry stemmed from its focus on the mass market, not just high-end consumers. Duan Ran supported her, advising Ding Ding, as a newcomer to the domestic market, to heed Qian Xixi's and Yu Shi's experience. Humiliated, Ding Ding lashed out, attempting to prove his capabilities by revealing his past schemes against Rui.
He admitted to previously investing in Cloud Live, manipulating Chen Lang to work against Rui, causing the power outage during their competition, and coercing Yu Shi into leaking Mr Five's design plans. Enraged by the revelations, Duan Ran stormed out. Yu Shi, in a desperate attempt to explain, chased after him but stumbled and fell down the stairs, breaking his leg. He was immediately rushed to the hospital.
At the hospital, Mr Five and other colleagues confronted Yu Shi about the series of sabotage incidents, including the power outage, the high imitation goods scandal, the deleted videos, and the leaked design. Yu Shi denied involvement in the power outage and the high imitation goods but confessed to deleting the videos and leaking Mr Five's design.
He claimed he was forced and had his reasons, but his former friends, still furious, ignored his pleas and left him alone in the hospital. Ding Ding subsequently accused Duan Ran of deliberately causing Yu Shi's fall and had him expelled from the company. Duan Ran, after a tense, silent encounter with Mr Shen Sr and Ding Ding, gathered his belongings and left Rui Live. Qian Xixi drove a visibly exhausted and heartbroken Duan Ran home.
He expressed profound disbelief and pain over Yu Shi's betrayal, calling him his most trusted friend and lamenting that he had failed to manage Rui Live, feeling "beaten down" by the ordeal. He expressed no immediate plans, wanting only to rest and sleep until he naturally woke up. His father observed Duan Ran's stubborn refusal to explain himself to Shen Jiang Tao.
After a period, Qian Xixi returned to live streaming, only to find that many viewers no longer remembered her. To support her, Duan Ran, using the username "Four-Wheel Drive Tycoon," placed numerous orders, but he remained her sole customer. Ding Ding made a brief appearance to check on her sales, but Ou Yang promptly told him to leave. Separately, Ou Yang continued training new model broadcasters.
Ding Ding attempted to curry favor with her by purchasing a custom-made, comfortable sofa from ZaoZuo for her personal use. Ou Yang, however, rejected the gift, citing the company's current austerity measures as inappropriate for such extravagance. Meanwhile, Zhang Jiayun received an acceptance letter from Cambridge Business School.
While planning her resignation, she intended to first meet Chen Lang at Cloud Live to secure a "shelter" for the Rui team, envisioning a place for them to restart should they be forced out of Rui. Overhearing this, Qian Xixi fiercely declared that Rui was their "most beloved baby" and they would not be easily driven away. Finally, Chen Lang met with Mr Wu to discuss a potential collaboration. Mr Wu, having heard of Duan Shengyun's recent removal, expressed bewilderment and implicitly questioned Chen Lang, asking why Duan Shengyun would put himself out of office for Chen Lang's sake.
