Episode Summary
Zhang Ran faces pressure from her family and failing viewership numbers. She resolves a conflict with Fu Yudong, who then fails to secure funding for a startup. After almost quitting, Zhang Ran attends a livestream event where a confrontation with her rival, Yuan Yuan, accidentally revitalizes her online popularity.
Spoiler Alert
Back to the Origin Episode 12
The Struggle for Content
Zhang Ran is desperate for views. She tries to pivot to pet content, but the dog she uses refuses to cooperate. It is a disaster. Her neighbors are starting to give her weird looks for livestreaming at home all day. Her aunt makes things worse. She sees the videos and complains to Zhang Ran’s mother. The aunt thinks a college graduate should have a "high-class" job, not this internet nonsense.
Mom defends her daughter in front of the aunt. She says earning money through hard work isn't shameful. But behind closed doors, Mom is annoyed. Zhang Ran stays glued to her phone even during dinner. Mom snaps. She bans livestreaming business at the dinner table. Zhang Ran insists she is just working. They get into a heated argument.
Relationship Realities
Zhang Ran storms out to work elsewhere. Fu Yudong follows her. Zhang Ran wants to move out because she feels her mother is stifling her creativity. She suggests they rent a place together. Fu Yudong gets serious. He tells her she has changed. He also drops a bomb. He saw the three-year contract she signed.
Zhang Ran gets defensive. She accuses him of being passive-aggressive about the contract for days. Fu Yudong clarifies his position. He isn't mad about the contract. He is hurt she didn't trust him enough to tell him. They clear the air and stop fighting. Later that night, Li Daoqi texts Fu Yudong again about the startup idea. Fu Yudong needs the money. He agrees to join.
The Failed Pitch
Fu Yudong and Li Daoqi meet with a potential investor named Xing Kai. Xing Kai is a legend in the business world. He plays power games immediately. He makes them wait a long time before showing his face. The meeting goes south fast. Xing Kai has zero interest in Li Daoqi’s project. He is only interested in the talent. He tries to poach Fu Yudong for his own company instead of funding their venture.
Hitting a Wall
The "desperate personal shopper" gimmick is dead. Zhang Ran’s traffic is tanking. The company cuts off her ad revenue and business deals. She has no income source now. Qian Dan tells her to figure out a new angle fast. Zhang Ran is clueless about the industry and feels lost. She tells Qian Dan she wants to quit. Qian Dan doesn't have time for pity parties and walks away.
The Livestream Showdown
Zhang Ran sits at home watching her numbers drop. Liu Bo calls with a lifeline. He signed her up for an event at an amusement park to gain followers. Zhang Ran tries to refuse, but Liu Bo pushes her. She goes.
The event is packed with other streamers. Qian Dan watches the feed from the office. It goes poorly. Zhang Ran ends up with only 12 viewers. Liu Bo sees the flop and texts her. He tells her to go crash the stream of a popular host named Miss Liao to steal some traffic. Zhang Ran refuses to stoop that low. She finds a quiet spot to chat with her dozen loyal fans.
A user asks to join the stream via voice chat. It is Yuan Yuan. She starts listing all of Zhang Ran’s past mistakes and humiliations. Zhang Ran realizes who it is. She doesn't run. She admits to her messy past on camera but fires back at Yuan Yuan. The drama works. Her viewer count skyrockets. Qian Dan sees the spike and immediately buys a traffic boost to keep the momentum going.
