Go Ahead Episode 23 Recap
> Go Ahead Recap
One night, Ling Xiao secretly kissed a sleeping Li Jianjian, who subconsciously recalled being kissed upon waking. Qi Mingyue witnessed this and was upset. The next morning, He Ziqiu prepared breakfast at Li Jianjian's home. During breakfast, Li Jianjian felt awkward seeing Ling Xiao. He Ziqiu and Tang Can discussed Qi Mingyue moving back home and Ling Xiao's reaction to Qi Mingyue's confession. Ling Xiao clarified to Li Jianjian that he intended to tell Qi Mingyue he liked someone else.
Li Jianjian, uncomfortable, quickly left. Later, He Ziqiu noticed an upset Qi Mingyue leaving without a word. Over a meal with Li Jianjian and others, Tang Can brought up Ling Xiao's past mention of liking a high school junior. Ling Xiao denied it was Qi Mingyue, and also denied Tang Can's subsequent guess that she was the one. Li Jianjian suddenly looked upset and left.
Tang Can wondered why, while He Ziqiu guessed Li Jianjian was upset because Ling Xiao had not returned on time to mourn Li Jianjian's mother. After leaving breakfast, Li Jianjian waited for Ling Xiao to depart before heading to her studio. However, Ling Xiao also came out, catching Li Jianjian at the elevator. Though Li Jianjian tried to avoid him, Ling Xiao stopped her.
Following Li Jianjian into the elevator, Ling Xiao confessed to having secretly kissed her and directly declared his love, proposing marriage. He acknowledged not controlling himself the previous night. Li Jianjian, who only viewed Ling Xiao as a brother, was scared and unsure what to do, refusing his proposal and fleeing when the elevator opened. At her wood carving studio, Li Jianjian called Qi Mingyue, who responded coldly and quickly hung up.
Her colleagues, Du Juan and her boyfriend Zhou Miao, returned to the studio affectionately. Du Juan, surprised to see Li Jianjian, asked about her relationship with Zheng Shuran. Li Jianjian revealed she had broken up with Zheng Shuran and been dumped. Zheng Shuran had initiated the breakup either because he felt they were better as friends, or because he wanted a deeper romantic relationship beyond "playing house" and Li Jianjian's refusal led to an angry breakup.
Du Juan approved, stating that Li Jianjian and Zheng Shuran lacked romantic chemistry and that physical intimacy in a true relationship should evoke anticipation, not repulsion. This swift failure of Li Jianjian's first romance, lasting less than a month, left her disheartened. Zheng Shuran visited He Ziqiu at his dessert shop to inform him of the breakup. He Ziqiu, who was in the kitchen, brandished a dagger towards Zheng Shuran, threatening him, but was secretly overjoyed by the news.
He Ziqiu then called Ling Xiao to share the update. Later, after work, He Ziqiu dined with Zhuang Bei, revealing his decision to pursue Li Jianjian. Worried about being perceived as a pervert for liking his "sister," he sought Zhuang Bei's advice. Zhuang Bei found this amusing and suggested He Ziqiu should work to change Li Jianjian's perception of him and actively break their sibling dynamic.
Meanwhile, Feng Xixi chatted with Ling Xiao at work, attempting to ask him out and inquiring about the identity of the junior he liked. Ling Xiao informed her he had already confessed to his crush, Li Jianjian, mentioning he had once bought her ice cream. Feng Xixi was devastated upon realizing Ling Xiao's feelings for Li Jianjian, muttering to herself about her foolishness for not realizing it sooner.
Troubled by Ling Xiao's confession, Li Jianjian sat downstairs, hesitant to go home. Tang Can found her and mistakenly thought she was angry about Ling Xiao returning late. Back home, Ling Xiao reminded Li Jianjian about a hospital follow-up check-up. Li Jianjian, not wanting to engage, said she was fine and didn't need one. Sensing her reluctance, Ling Xiao left.
Observing the awkward atmosphere, Tang Can, still believing Li Jianjian was angry, revealed that Ling Xiao suffered from anxiety disorder and urged Li Jianjian to be understanding. After some deliberation, Li Jianjian went to Ling Xiao, intending to clarify things. She believed he might have been emotionally stimulated to confuse their familial bond with romantic love.
Ling Xiao, however, asserted that he had liked Li Jianjian since high school and, ever since she "picked him up" as a child, he considered himself hers for life. Li Jianjian was stunned and retreated to her room in a daze. Separately, Ling Heping and Li Haichao had been searching for He Mei. Ling Heping found her address and shared it with Li Haichao, revealing He Mei had returned two years prior and was operating a beauty salon.
Li Haichao, after much searching, also learned of her whereabouts, specifically that she ran a restaurant. The next morning, He Ziqiu found a note from Li Jianjian stating she had eaten out. He Ziqiu made breakfast for himself and Ling Xiao. During breakfast, He Ziqiu asked if Ling Xiao had been "stimulated" in Singapore. Ling Xiao then asked He Ziqiu if he had considered finding He Mei.
He Ziqiu admitted he had already located He Mei's beauty salon but had only watched from a distance before leaving. Later, Li Haichao arrived at He Mei's place of business, a restaurant. A front desk clerk initially stated He Mei was out, but He Mei soon appeared at the door. She looked serious, seemingly unwelcoming to Li Haichao.
