Something Just Like This Episode 46 Recap
> Something Just Like This Recap
A board meeting was held at QE, where board members questioned Mr. Shen about Jiang Zheyang's sudden absence from the QE Night event and the lack of a backup plan. The new product launch of the private label had been cancelled, leaving a 40-minute gap in the program. Mr. Shen, feigning confidence, promised a detailed backup plan in 20 minutes and then abruptly adjourned the meeting, immediately calling for Shen Ding Ding.
Meanwhile, a red alert had been issued for an incoming typhoon in Xiamen, causing all flights from Beijing to be cancelled. Jiang Zheyang, who was supposed to fly in, was stuck in Beijing, and a batch of goods for the "Vine" new product launch was held up in a Fuzhou warehouse. Learning of this, Duan Ran immediately contacted Qian Xixi and Chen Lang by phone, seeing the crisis as a perfect opportunity for them.
Qian Xixi quickly called Ou Yang, instructing her to apply for a self-pickup authorization for the goods stuck in the Fuzhou warehouse. Qian Xixi then braved the rain, sending others to retrieve the goods. Qian Xixi believed that if Cloud Live could step in to save QE Night, Mr. Shen would have no choice but to agree to a partnership. She emphasized this was their chance to showcase the power of real-scene live broadcasting.
As Qian Xixi's team, including Mr. Five and Su Su, prepared to head to the Rui Live office, Chen Lang went to QE. He was tasked with taking all the central control room equipment to QE and training eloquent QE shop assistants to become semi-professional broadcasters in just ten minutes. Simultaneously, Duan Ran went to negotiate directly with Mr. Shen.
Shen Ding Ding, meanwhile, was in a state of panic at Rui Live, realizing they couldn't stream with no goods and the ongoing typhoon. He called his father, Mr. Shen, admitting they might have to cancel and offering to take sole responsibility. Mr. Shen was furious, reminding Ding Ding that everyone knew he was his son. Elsewhere, QE shop assistants were discussing the typhoon, fearing the cancellation of QE Night and potential layoffs as online sales increasingly threatened their jobs.
Qian Xixi, Mr. Five, and Su Su arrived at the Rui Live office, only to find it deserted, with all staff having gone home and Shen Ding Ding already gone. Despite the empty office, Qian Xixi decided that the three of them were enough to proceed. Duan Ran met with Mr. Shen, who was clearly frustrated.
Duan Ran calmly showed Mr. Shen his prepared plan, which included the secured "Vine" goods, poncho-covered equipment for protection, and amateur broadcasters already in position at the Fuzhou warehouse. He presented Mr. Shen with an ultimatum: if Mr. Shen agreed to Cloud Live becoming a partner of QE, QE Night would proceed; otherwise, Duan Ran's team would withdraw immediately. Impressed by Duan Ran's capabilities and acknowledging his own son's inferiority, Mr. Shen agreed to the partnership, congratulating Cloud Live.
With the green light, QE Night commenced. Chen Lang instructed the newly trained shop assistants to focus on building customer loyalty rather than rushing sales, emphasizing authenticity, professionalism, and maintaining a high-end demeanor. Mr. Five began the main broadcast, explaining Jiang Zheyang's absence due to the typhoon but showing him remotely cheering them on.
She then introduced Hai and Fen, who were live-streaming the "Vine" new product launch from the Fuzhou warehouse, demonstrating that even amateurs could wear the clothes stylishly. Other shop assistants also began live-streaming from their respective stores. Initially, the traffic and sales were mediocre, drawing criticism from board members who questioned the use of novices instead of celebrities. Mr. Shen defended it as his "Plan B."
Duan Ran, monitoring the situation, reassured Chen Lang that Qian Xixi had a "big move" up her sleeve. Indeed, Qian Xixi had contacted Yuan Yuan, now a big star, who was filming in Xiamen. Despite the typhoon and heavy traffic, Yuan Yuan arrived via a three-wheeler, drenched but grateful to Qian Xixi for her past support.
Yuan Yuan immediately went live, promoting Mr. Five's "Vine" designs, which she loved and even wore on set, causing a massive surge in traffic and quickly landing on the hot search. Not to be outdone, Duan Ran introduced his own "big move": Yuanbao, the CEO of Hualu Coffee. Yuanbao, inspired by Duan Ran, showcased her newly renovated "coffee theatre," emphasizing the unique offline experience her physical stores offered. Her live stream also significantly boosted traffic.
Then, Chen Lang revealed his "big move": Zhang Jiayun live-streaming from a unique, handmade furniture store in the UK, featuring the store's owner, James. Chen Lang expressed his deep, lasting admiration for Jiayun. The concerted efforts of all these live streams led to an overwhelming success. The event featured twenty-eight live stream rooms and attracted two million real viewers, shattering previous retail records. Dealers quickly signed agreements with QE and Rui due to the success of the live broadcast.
The board members, previously critical, showered Mr. Shen with praise for the innovative QE Night. Mr. Shen proudly attributed the success to his "Plan B." After the successful event, Qian Xixi expressed her joy to Duan Ran via phone, realizing the true potential of real-scene live broadcasting, not just in nature but in every corner of the city. Duan Ran playfully hinted at a deeper commitment.
Yuan Yuan, before leaving, encouraged Qian Xixi to believe in herself and pursue her dreams boldly, reassuring her that she kept her access card and could return anytime. Later, Mr. Shen approached Duan Ran, acknowledging his clever business tactics in combining physical stores with live-streaming. He then outlined his proposal to the board for the next day: converting physical retail spaces into online sales models, with the physical stores becoming restaurants and family entertainment centers.
He asked Duan Ran to support his proposal at the board meeting, leveraging Duan Ran's identity as Duan Shengyun's son, hoping to sway conservative board members. Duan Ran understood. At the subsequent board meeting, board members were hesitant about Mr. Shen's radical plan, citing its boldness and execution difficulty. Mr. Shen presented financial reports, highlighting QE's declining profits and rising vacancy rates, arguing that physical retail was a "chronic death" and his e-commerce strategy was essential to maximize property value.
Just as he finished, Duan Ran entered the meeting. Duan Ran acknowledged the problems Mr. Shen identified but argued that a complete, immediate transformation was not feasible. Instead, he proposed a gradual shift towards a comprehensive mall model, likening QE to a "full-capacity ship" that needed to be lightened and sped up, not immediately converted into a "plane."
He detailed a four-part cooperation plan with Rui Live and Cloud Live: brand broadcasting, private labels, real-scene live streaming, and targeting underserved markets. This, he asserted, would make QE a landmark both physically and online. He then revealed that this comprehensive plan was crafted by his father, Duan Shengyun. Duan Ran clarified that his stance was purely for QE's benefit, free of personal grudges. The board members, after a show of hands, unanimously approved Duan Shengyun's plan.
Later, Duan Ran was seen at an I DO jewelry store, looking for a gift for Qian Xixi. A shop assistant showed him a diamond ring inspired by the Eiffel Tower, featuring rubies symbolizing a passionate heartbeat, suggesting it was perfect for a proposal. Meanwhile, Mr. Shen joined Duan Shengyun for a fishing trip. They reminisced about their old fishing days, with Duan Shengyun teasingly blaming Shen for ruining their fishing partnership.
Mr. Shen asked about the new plan, and Duan Shengyun revealed that being "kicked out" had given him the time to perfect it. Despite this, he asked Mr. Shen to continue managing QE, emphasizing that their complementary skills made them inseparable, like "Meng not leaving Jiao" (two inseparable friends). Mr. Shen, touched, accepted the role. Finally, Shen Ding Ding met Duan Ran, angrily demanding why Duan Ran hated him so much.
He expressed frustration at how, despite his efforts to push Duan Ran and Qian Xixi to rock bottom, they always managed to bounce back and defeat him. Duan Ran calmly explained that it wasn't about hatred or personal animosity. He spoke of his profound passion for the live broadcasting industry, calling it unpredictable, stimulating, primitive, direct, and full of vitality, with only a screen separating acceptance and expression. He declared his firm belief that this industry would become a "giant" and that he was committed to giving it his all.
