Go Ahead Episode 23 Recap
> Go Ahead Recap
He Ziqiu, as usual, went to Li Jianjian’s home to make breakfast. When Li Jianjian came out after washing up and saw Ling Xiao, she felt a little awkward. He Ziqiu and Tang Can were talking about Qi Mingyue moving back home, and started gossiping about how Ling Xiao reacted when he confessed to Qi Mingyue.
Seeing Li Jianjian there, Ling Xiao hurried to explain that he only wanted to make things clear with Qi Mingyue — that the person he liked was someone else. Li Jianjian felt uncomfortable hearing this. Fortunately, Tang Can and He Ziqiu didn’t suspect anything, but Li Jianjian still felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She quickly ate a couple of bites and went back to her room.
Li Jianjian listened carefully for sounds outside the door, and only came out when she confirmed Ling Xiao had left, intending to head to the studio. But as she waited for the elevator, Ling Xiao happened to come out at the same time. Feeling extremely awkward, Li Jianjian tried to find an excuse to avoid being alone with him, but Ling Xiao stopped her. She still tried to play dumb, but Ling Xiao straightforwardly confessed that he liked her.
He admitted he lost control yesterday, but he truly liked her and wanted to marry her. Li Jianjian couldn’t accept it and fled in panic as soon as the elevator doors opened. Li Jianjian called Qi Mingyue after arriving at the studio to check in on her, but Qi Mingyue responded coldly and hung up after just a few words. Not long after, Du Juan and her boyfriend Zhou Miao returned to the studio.
Du Juan asked Li Jianjian why she didn’t go on a date with Zheng Shuran on Sunday. Li Jianjian, feeling a bit down, said she and Zheng Shuran had broken up. It turned out Zheng Shuran also realized they were better suited as friends, so he initiated the breakup, saying they should go back to being kindred spirits. It was Li Jianjian’s first relationship and it hadn’t even lasted a month, which discouraged her.
But Du Juan said it was good they broke up, because there was never a romantic atmosphere between her and Zheng Shuran. While physical intimacy in relationships might make people nervous, there should also be anticipation — not a sense of rejection. As long as the other person is nearby, it should bring great happiness. When Zheng Shuran visited He Ziqiu’s café, he told him about the breakup.
He Ziqiu was overjoyed and immediately called Ling Xiao to share the news. Ling Xiao was still enjoying the news when Feng Xixi came looking for him and asked him out for a meal. Realizing Feng Xixi’s intentions, Ling Xiao told her he had already confessed to the person he liked — and that person was Li Jianjian.
That evening, He Ziqiu treated Zhuang Bei to dinner and said he had decided to pursue Li Jianjian but didn’t know how to go about it. Zhuang Bei suggested that he first change how Li Jianjian saw him, and take the initiative to break out of their sibling-like dynamic. Troubled by the situation with Ling Xiao, Li Jianjian sat downstairs, unable to go home.
When Tang Can came back, she saw her and asked a few questions, thinking she was angry because Ling Xiao came home late. After returning home, Ling Xiao came to remind Li Jianjian about her follow-up appointment at the hospital. Li Jianjian replied that if she was fine, she didn’t need to go. Seeing she didn’t want to talk, Ling Xiao left.
Tang Can, noticing the awkward atmosphere, thought Li Jianjian was still upset and told her that Ling Xiao had anxiety and asked her to be more understanding. After some hesitation, Li Jianjian went to Ling Xiao’s place across the hall to talk things through. Li Jianjian thought Ling Xiao had been triggered by something and had mistaken their familial bond for romantic feelings. But Ling Xiao told her that he had liked her since senior year of high school.
When they were kids, and she took him in, he became hers for life. Li Jianjian was stunned and returned to her room dazed and lost in thought. Ling Heping helped Li Haichao get news about He Mei. She had been back for two years and opened a beauty salon. He said he would send the address shortly.
The next morning, He Ziqiu intended to go to Li Jianjian’s place to make breakfast as usual, but saw a note on her door saying she went out to eat. He had no choice but to make breakfast and eat with Ling Xiao. He asked Ling Xiao if something had happened in Singapore, but Ling Xiao brushed it off. Then he asked He Ziqiu if he ever thought about looking for He Mei.
He Ziqiu had already found her salon, but didn’t go inside — he just watched from afar and left. Right after he left, Li Haichao arrived at the salon using the address from Ling Heping and met He Mei.
