Something Just Like This Episode 43 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
After a heart-wrenching conversation with Duan Ran’s mother, Qian Xixi was consumed by sadness. She tearfully accused Duan Ran's mother of always acting on her own terms, never considering Qian Xixi's feelings. Despite her pain, when Duan Ran’s mother pleaded with her to stop tormenting her, Qian Xixi found herself unable to refuse her. Later, alone in her old house, Qian Xixi looked at the growth tree painting her mother had left on the wall and quietly wept.
Duan Ran went to Rui Live to find Qian Xixi, but everyone had already left except for Yu Shi. Yu Shi informed him that Aunt Zhou had picked Qian Xixi up earlier that day. Duan Ran was about to leave when Yu Shi chased after him, wanting to talk. Yu Shi, filled with self-loathing, apologized profusely for his past actions and vowed to repay his debt to Duan Ran with his entire life.
Duan Ran dismissed the idea of repayment, stating that voting was always a choice. Yu Shi explained that after casting his vote for Shen Ding Ding, he felt his obligation to the Shen family was over. However, he chose to become the puppet CEO to protect those who remained, including Qian Xixi and Mr. Five. He offered to protect Rui Live for Duan Ran.
Duan Ran, feeling lost himself and unsure of his own entrepreneurial direction, entrusted Yu Shi with Rui’s protection and advised him to focus on healing his leg so he could truly support him later. Meanwhile, Ou Yang formally submitted her resignation. She planned to hand over her work to Yu Shi and transfer the own brand, Vine, to Qian Xixi, exercising her independent decision-making authority over the brand. Shen Ding Ding, realizing he couldn’t sway her, reluctantly agreed.
Ou Yang then met with Qian Xixi, acknowledging the pain of her relationship with Duan Ran and sharing her own struggles of being in his world. She revealed that Duan Ran specifically wanted Qian Xixi to take over Vine. Ou Yang advised Qian Xixi to be more tactful and flexible when facing work challenges, rather than confronting them head-on, and to give emotional matters time if answers weren't clear.
Qian Xixi, saddened by Ou Yang's departure, expressed her hope for future collaborations. Ou Yang admitted she wouldn't have left if the company hadn't changed ownership. Chen Lang had diligently reorganized Cloud Live after Zhang Jiayun’s previous hint about "divine assistance," intending to make it a sanctuary for Rui Live. He shared with Zhang Jiayun his belief that the assistance referred to Duan Ran and his team.
However, Cola and Little Yellow Duck once again betrayed him, returning to Rui Live after being poached by Shen Ding Ding. Cola requested to work on the Pineapple Xpress brand, and Ding Ding promised them focused cultivation under that brand. Chen Lang reflected on his experiences, viewing people like Cola, Ding Ding, Duan Ran, and Shen Jiang Tao as grindstones that sharpened him, while Zhang Jiayun, with her calm wisdom, was like a scabbard that contained his edge.
Zhang Jiayun then advised Chen Lang that building business relationships required more than just money and profit; it needed genuine emotional connection. She suggested he find common ground with Mr. Wu from Pineapple Xpress. Zhang Jiayun arranged a meeting, and Chen Lang, taking her advice, avoided direct business talks.
Instead, he shared personal anecdotes, highlighting their shared background from nearby regions (Wanbei and Subei), and his humble beginnings including altering his sisters' hand-me-down clothes, and his computer science degree from Tsinghua, then failed business venture and founding his women's fashion business. Mr. Wu, also having experience with altering clothes, was impressed by Chen Lang's passion for his work and their shared experiences. Duan Ran went fishing with his father, Duan Shengyun.
Duan Shengyun emphasized the patience required in fishing, contrasting it with the quick gains of net fishing. When Duan Ran accidentally kicked their water bottle into the sea, they were left thirsty until a kind ice cream vendor appeared. Duan Ran initially wanted to buy many, but the vendor, concerned about their health, advised against eating too much.
Duan Ran praised his honesty, and the vendor revealed he sold ice cream not just for profit, but to allow people to taste traditional flavors. Duan Shengyun was highly impressed by the vendor’s empathetic and humane business approach, reminding Duan Ran of his grandfather’s bartering days, where relationships were key. Duan Shengyun urged Duan Ran, despite his youth and previous wilfulness, to withstand setbacks, set clear goals, and know when to cut losses.
He suggested Duan Ran return to QE as a floor manager to hone his skills, emphasizing it was a role requiring high emotional intelligence and decisiveness. He assured Duan Ran that Shen Shu would not make things difficult, as their past disagreements were purely about business philosophy. Taking his father's advice, Duan Ran proactively met with Shen Shu to apologize. He admitted partial responsibility for Yu Shi’s injury, despite not directly causing it.
He also confessed his previously unrealistic mindset and expressed his desire to start from the bottom at QE as a floor manager to truly train himself. Shen Shu, pleased by Duan Ran’s sincerity and change of heart, immediately agreed and called Manager Liu to assist him. Manager Liu, trying to offer Duan Ran special treatment due to his father’s past influence, suggested a less demanding schedule.
However, Duan Ran insisted on being treated fairly and working hard to learn, earning Manager Liu’s respect. At Rui Live, Qian Xixi was busy working, often pulling all-nighters, prompting Su Su and Mr. Five to worry she was heartbroken. The second season of Vine launched with excellent sales, leading Shen Shu to approve a special bonus for Qian Xixi, celebrating Shen Ding Ding's first major success since joining Rui.
Qian Xixi, however, wished to reinvest the bonus back into the own brand. Shen Ding Ding then announced a new department dedicated to developing diverse own brands, placing Qian Xixi in charge. Simultaneously, he declared that the successful Vine brand would be transferred to Yu Shi’s responsibility. Qian Xixi immediately realized this was a subtle demotion designed to sideline her, and she left the office, deeply upset.
Sitting alone, she wept, her distress noticed by Jiang Zheyang, who hurried to comfort her. As he tried to console her, his mother called on his mobile, attempting to book another job for him. Jiang Zheyang angrily refused, stating firmly that he would not take any engagements that day. Meanwhile, as Duan Ran patrolled his floor at QE, he encountered a customer dispute involving a delivery person carrying numerous parcels.
He learned that a perfume store was conducting live streams directly from their shop, and their products were so popular they required multiple daily parcel collection trips. Duan Ran observed that this in-store live streaming offered customers a more direct and engaging view of the products, contributing to its success. Later, Jiang Zheyang took Qian Xixi to the beach to help her clear her mind.
He confessed that he had wanted to comfort her earlier when she lost her CEO position but was hesitant due to Duan Ran. Qian Xixi explained she’d been working relentlessly to cope with the recent events. Jiang Zheyang offered to stop collaborating with Rui if Shen Ding Ding continued to undermine her brand.
Qian Xixi, however, implored him not to, emphasizing that with Ou Yang and Duan Ran gone, she was the only one left to protect Vine, Mr. Five, and their original mission. As the sun set, Jiang Zheyang tried to distract her from her worries, wishing he could be the one to bring her happiness and sunshine.
