Go Ahead Episode 25 Recap
> Go Ahead Recap
Twenty years prior, He Ziqiu recalled He Mei buying him a hamburger before leaving for Shenzhen. He Mei refused to marry Li Haichao due to a lack of affection between them, though He Ziqiu was fond of Li Haichao’s family. He Mei had instructed He Ziqiu to obey his grandmother and promised to return for him once she earned money.
His grandmother, who wished for He Mei to marry Li Haichao and settle down, was furious but He Mei was resolute and departed without looking back after bidding them farewell. Years later, Li Haichao informed He Ziqiu about He Mei's current life: she had opened a kindergarten, remarried, and had a four-year-old son, without disclosing her elder son to her new husband. He Ziqiu, feigning indifference, was deeply affected. He Ziqiu, influenced by Ling Xiao, later sought out He Mei.
He first visited a beauty salon but she wasn't there, so he left his address with a staff member, asking her to relay his desire to meet. He also passed a KFC, which triggered memories of He Mei buying him a meal there before her departure. He Ziqiu subsequently visited a restaurant run by He Mei, but she was absent, so he informed the staff he was a friend's son and decided to return another day.
Meanwhile, Li Jianjian secretly purchased sibling manga. While unboxing her delivery at the studio, Du Juan excitedly entered. Li Jianjian hastily hid the manga in a drawer, accidentally leaving one book on a chair. Du Juan announced that an international company was interested in buying the derivative rights for Li Jianjian’s award-winning work, "three close friends." The company's representative would visit the studio soon for negotiations; a successful collaboration would mean a commission for every sale.
In her joy, Li Jianjian forgot about the book, which Du Juan picked up. Du Juan teased Li Jianjian, remarking that such manga wasn't suitable for her and advised her to focus on her competition entry, as Li Jianjian was struggling with a lack of inspiration. After Li Jianjian left, Zhou Miao expressed concern to Du Juan that Li Jianjian might leave the studio if they earned significant money.
Du Juan trusted Li Jianjian, believing her focus was on creation, while Du Juan managed the studio's daily operations, with each fulfilling their distinct roles. Zhou Miao remained uneasy, suggesting a contract, but Du Juan dismissed the idea. At midday, Ling Xiao unexpectedly arrived at Li Jianjian’s studio to invite her to lunch. Ling Xiao and Du Juan briefly introduced themselves, and Ling Xiao offered to treat Du Juan to a meal in the future.
Ling Xiao and Li Jianjian then went to a shopping mall, where they bought a new phone before lunch. On the way, Ling Xiao attempted to hold Li Jianjian’s hand; she felt awkward but, remembering their past familiarity, took his hand. Upon checking his new phone, Ling Xiao discovered messages from Qi Mingyue. Qi Mingyue confessed she had seen him kiss Li Jianjian, realizing she had misunderstood their relationship.
She requested that he and Li Jianjian keep their relationship private until she moved out to save her reputation. Li Jianjian, after reading Qi Mingyue’s messages, felt complicated emotions and blamed Ling Xiao for her predicament. Li Jianjian tried calling and messaging Qi Mingyue, but received no response. Unable to reach her, Li Jianjian waited downstairs outside Qi Mingyue’s apartment. Qi Mingyue, returning home and seeing Li Jianjian, initially ignored her.
However, Li Jianjian, whose legs had gone numb from squatting, stumbled when trying to stand, falling and kneeling on a stone with a cry. Hearing Li Jianjian's yelp, Qi Mingyue instinctively turned back to help her. While applying medicine to Li Jianjian’s leg, Qi Mingyue became angry upon learning that Li Jianjian had read her text to Ling Xiao, feeling like a fool and believing Ling Xiao and Li Jianjian had made a joke of her.
Qi Mingyue refused to listen to Li Jianjian’s explanations. Her anger intensified when she learned that He Ziqiu also liked Li Jianjian, making her feel as though Li Jianjian was deliberately showing off. Li Jianjian, unable to bear it, argued with Qi Mingyue, and they parted unhappily. Tang Can went to play mahjong with Zhuang Bei's mother again, presenting her with a necklace. Zhuang Bei's mother enjoyed the game, and their relationship grew closer.
She also expressed concern for Tang Can, suggesting she pursue other work. Tang Can, slightly embarrassed, explained that acting was her profession, and her current activities were for life experience. She mentioned several past acting roles and advertisements, some of which Zhuang Bei’s mother vaguely recalled. After Tang Can finished playing mahjong, Zhuang Bei picked her up for dinner. Following their meal, Zhuang Bei, hoping to see Qi Mingyue, escorted Tang Can home.
Upon learning Qi Mingyue was not there, Zhuang Bei used the excuse of needing to write a case and did not accompany Tang Can upstairs. Tang Can entered her home to find Li Jianjian crying profusely on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket. Tang Can, startled and concerned, immediately uncovered her and asked why she was crying. He Ziqiu was distracted all day.
In the evening, as his workplace was closing, He Mei finally arrived, and the mother and son met. He Mei, knowing Zhao Huaguang’s character, suspected He Ziqiu had run away, as Zhao Huaguang would not easily release him. He Ziqiu, not wishing to discuss Zhao Huaguang, simply stated Zhao Huaguang couldn't control him.
He Ziqiu sought closure and answers, asking why, after promising to return for him once settled in Shenzhen, she later wrote to say she no longer wanted him. He Mei explained that her initial plans for Shenzhen were naive; she couldn't even support herself, let alone a child, and believed abandoning He Ziqiu was better for both of them.
He Ziqiu, fighting back tears, continued, stating he was now an adult with his own important family, and since she hadn't raised him, he would not support her in her old age. He Mei reassured him that she had a son and wouldn't need his support. He Ziqiu then returned a compact mirror with He Mei’s photo (alternatively described as a locket with her young photo), expressing gratitude for his birth but wishing to be strangers henceforth.
As He Ziqiu began to leave, He Mei called out, offering help if he ever faced difficulties, but He Ziqiu refused. He Mei then picked up the locket/compact mirror and gazed at her younger self's image inside. As He Ziqiu rode away on his electric scooter, he finally lost control of his emotions, stopping his vehicle and weeping uncontrollably.
