Be Together Episode 17 Recap
> Be Together Recap
Ma Ke confronted Han Shuang about dismantling the bar, asserting his authority as the boss and criticizing her frequent absences, which he claimed negatively impacted the store's image. Han Shuang retorted by suggesting a marketing campaign featuring a large poster of Ma Ke holding the "Dismantle" sign at the store entrance, referring to a popular image of him online. This made Ma Ke quickly back down.
He agreed to let her keep the bar, waived her clock-in requirement, and even offered to hire another girl to manage the bar, allowing Han Shuang to simply focus on his guests when she is present. Han Shuang apologized for her absences and then invited Ma Ke out for a drink as a gesture of goodwill. She led him to an empty, windy rooftop.
As Ma Ke questioned her choice of venue, she cryptically stated it was convenient and had "another advantage"—it was windy. She then locked him inside the cold, windy space, claiming it was a "surprise." Ma Ke, now trapped and cold, desperately apologized and promised not to dismantle the bar, pleading with her to open the door. Huo Kai and his band, with Ma Xiangnan playing drums, performed a charity concert at the Yangshan Senior Apartment.
Ma Xiangnan's mother arrived and encouraged her daughter to perform. Though some elderly attendees initially found the sound check confusing and loud, the main performance was well-received. Afterwards, Ma Xiangnan’s mother commended the teamwork and praised Huo Kai, implying her approval of him to Ma Xiangnan. She then told Ma Xiangnan to stay with Huo Kai to clean up and have dinner, declining to go home with her daughter and leaving with another elderly resident, Grandpa Zhang.
Huo Kai then prompted Ma Xiangnan to start packing up the equipment. Huo Kai drove Ma Xiangnan home. During the drive, Ma Xiangnan reflected on how she has overcome her past fears of loss after her father’s death and now openly pursues her passions. Huo Kai observed that despite this, her desire to travel and avoid staying in one place for too long indicated a fear of being tied down, which Ma Xiangnan acknowledged as perceptive.
Suddenly, Ma Xiangnan recalled Grandpa Zhang’s dizzy spell earlier and worried he might be having a stroke, urging Huo Kai to turn back to the nursing home. Upon arrival, a security guard refused them entry, citing non-visiting hours and questioning Ma Xiangnan’s credibility as a doctor given Huo Kai's previous mention of their band. Convinced of the emergency, Huo Kai and Ma Xiangnan scaled the wall to enter. They found Grandpa Zhang collapsed in his room.
Ma Xiangnan immediately called an ambulance, and Huo Kai assisted by opening a window, reassuring Grandpa Zhang that help is coming. Ma Xiangnan returned home late to find her mother looking through old photos of her deceased father. Ma Xiangnan asked if her drumming made her mother sad, but her mother reassured her, saying she had a great time and that Ma Xiangnan’s drumming reminds her of her father, making it feel like he is still with them.
Her mother explained that while she once found it painful to think of her husband, she now cherishes only happy memories of him. She admitted her previous reluctance to discuss him stemmed from a fear of making Ma Xiangnan sad, but Ma Xiangnan revealed her own fear was that her mother might forget him. Ma Xiangnan reassured her mother that their father lives on in their hearts.
They shared nostalgic and humorous memories from old photos, like Ma Xiangnan spilling noodles after her father insisted she eat independently, or him accidentally causing her to fall from a tricycle, with her mother fondly recalling how much he spoiled her. Huo Kai gifted Ma Xiangnan a medical hand cream, explaining it would protect her hands, which are exposed to disinfectants in her profession.
Ma Xiangnan updated him on Grandpa Zhang's recovery, expressing gratitude for his help in accessing the nursing home. Huo Kai revealed that Xinzhou is his hometown, and he regularly visits the elderly at the nursing home since he no longer has relatives there. He then announced his imminent departure for Africa, explaining that Grandpa Zhang's medical emergency reinforced his belief that life is short and one should travel while young and healthy.
Ma Xiangnan, however, highlighted the difference between brief visits and prolonged stays, implicitly preferring a more rooted life. Huo Kai proposed a future "appointment": if they ever grew tired of their current lifestyles, they should exchange them—he would settle down, and she would travel. Ma Xiangnan agreed to explore the world upon retirement, while Huo Kai vowed to settle only when he can no longer walk.
They shared a poignant farewell, acknowledging their contrasting paths: "Bye, Huo Kai, who is always on the road. Goodbye, Xiang Nan, who always stands her ground." Han Shuang met with her mother, Han Mingzhu, who criticized her busy schedule and dismissive attitude, contrasting Han Shuang with her own subordinates. Han Mingzhu suggested Han Shuang move back home, but Han Shuang declined, citing their differing schedules and jokingly calling her mother's large house "haunted."
Han Mingzhu then expressed disapproval of Han Shuang's job at a furniture store, questioning its seriousness for her daughter. Han Shuang defended her passion for the work, which her mother interpreted as a deliberate attempt to annoy her. When Han Shuang mentioned her unique selling method, live broadcasting, her mother dismissed it as "pornography or cheating" and questioned if Han Shuang was ashamed to be associated with it.
Offended, Han Shuang confronted her mother, accusing her of being narrow-minded, considering her "shameful," and trying to control her life. She asserted her independence, stating she was not her mother's doll. Han Mingzhu argued she was trying to help, but Han Shuang insisted she could manage on her own.
Her mother then revealed she knew Han Shuang had been staying in the family's hotel for free and that her salary could not cover the expenses, exposing that she had investigated her daughter. Infuriated, Han Shuang threw her credit card at her mother, vowing to pay her own bills and demanding an end to the surveillance. Han Shuang returned to the store after her argument with her mother.
Ma Ke, who had been released from Han Shuang’s blacklist, had prepared an elaborate setup with drinks and music, claiming it was a "special meal of gratitude" for her. He offered a sincere apology for his attempt to dismantle the bar, further explaining that her act of locking him on the cold rooftop led to a profound realization about her "caring" for him. He presented her with several elaborate cocktails, promising to dance "only for you."
However, the night took an unexpected turn when Ma Ke ended up severely drunk and nauseous, while Han Shuang remained completely sober. Han Shuang confronted him, correctly inferring he tried to exact revenge. Ma Ke confessed he initially planned to get her drunk and leave her in the cold, but later had a change of heart and decided to compete fairly in a drinking contest.
He then wildly exaggerated Han Shuang's drunken behavior, claiming she was "crazy the whole night," crying for her mother, and insisting on hugging him while falling asleep. Han Shuang denied these accusations, pointing to the store's cameras as proof. Ma Ke, still feeling ill, regretted his "kindness" for not leaving her outside.
He attempted to end their drunken standoff, but Han Shuang, enjoying her sobriety, insisted on continuing to drink and teach him the true meaning of "kindness," thoroughly intimidating Ma Ke, who recognized he could not outdrink her. Xia Yan declined her colleague Amy's invitation to go singing after work, explaining she must attend an award ceremony at Xinzhou Technological University where Yan Changjun was the presenter.
She noted the significance of the event, as it marked the first time Xu Chengyi and Yan Changjun, both alumni who had avoided each other since graduation, would appear together. Meanwhile, Xue Ning advised Xu Chengyi against attending the ceremony, warning of Yan Changjun's vengeful nature and potential ulterior motives due to the heavy media presence.
Xu Chengyi, however, asserted his decision to go, viewing it as an invitation from his alma mater and a strategic move to prevent Yan Changjun from slandering him, also acknowledging the importance of cooperating with NK. When Xue Ning offered to accompany him, Xu Chengyi declined, choosing Xia Yan instead, citing her prior experience and familiarity with Yan Changjun. This decision visibly angered Xue Ning, who then directed her subordinates to work overtime, making an exception for only one.
Upon arriving at the ceremony, Xu Chengyi and Xia Yan were immediately surrounded by reporters. After greeting Yan Changjun, they fielded questions about their past rivalry and potential collaborations. Yan Changjun skillfully deflected, emphasizing the focus should be on the students and promising answers during the ceremony. Xu Chengyi introduced Xia Yan as a key professional from SG’s Operations Department overseeing the upcoming "Confidante Planet" project, indicating her future prominence.
