Go Ahead Episode 33 Recap
> Go Ahead Recap
Li Haichao remains troubled by Li Jianjian and Ling Xiao's romantic relationship. While he fully approves of Ling Xiao as a son-in-law, his primary concern is Ling Xiao's mother, Chen Ting, fearing her potential opposition and the difficulties she might pose for Ling Xiao. Li Jianjian reassures her father, mentioning that her recent phone call with Chen Ting indicated a more amicable demeanor, and that Chen Ting, being in Singapore, wouldn't be able to interfere directly.
Li Jianjian then shifts the conversation, attempting to set up Li Haichao with Hongying. Meanwhile, Qi Mingyue secretly fills out an application to work in Beijing but hesitates to send it. When her mother, Jin Yuxiang, calls, Qi Mingyue quickly retrieves civil servant exam materials, pretending to study. Satisfied, Jin Yuxiang ends the call.
Afterward, Qi Mingyue, frustrated by her mother's expectations and her unrequited feelings for Ling Xiao—who is now dating Li Jianjian—angrily throws her books onto the floor, realizing she has no desire to become a civil servant but lacks the courage to defy her mother. Overcome with vexation and sadness, she smashes nearby objects and cries uncontrollably on her bed.
Ling Xiao and Li Jianjian discover that He Ziqiu is secretly working at a buffet restaurant to cover the financial losses of his coffee shop. They go to the restaurant and discreetly observe him from behind a menu. Ling Xiao jokes that he has "bound" himself to He Ziqiu and can always find him, and Li Jianjian reveals that Ling Xiao secretly paid off He Ziqiu's credit card debt, even deleting collection messages to keep it hidden.
He Ziqiu initially feels annoyed by their interference and is reluctant to accept their help, but he eventually acknowledges their concern and accepts their good intentions. He Mei suddenly arrives at Li Haichao's noodle shop with her son, Dongdong. Li Haichao prepares a bowl of noodles for Dongdong, who eats heartily.
He Mei informs Li Haichao that she investigated Zhao Huaguang's hometown, discovering he has remarried and has a five-year-old son, which explains why he had so easily allowed He Ziqiu to return to the Li family. She also reveals she saw He Ziqiu working at the buffet restaurant and asks Li Haichao for Zhao Huaguang's phone number. He Mei calls Zhao Huaguang, accusing him of withholding financial support, which has left He Ziqiu struggling to keep his coffee shop afloat.
Zhao Huaguang confesses that six or seven years prior, he had deliberately cut off He Ziqiu's economic resources to force him to sever ties with the Li family. He explains that He Ziqiu had stubbornly insisted on working to earn his own tuition and living expenses for all those years, despite Zhao Huaguang's initial intention to compensate him.
He Mei, disregarding Zhao Huaguang's explanations and pointedly mentioning his past of "eating soft rice," threatens to expose his secrets if he doesn't compensate He Ziqiu. She puts the phone on speaker for Li Haichao to hear the exchange. Following this, Zhao Huaguang calls He Ziqiu, scolding him and implying that He Ziqiu secretly wanted money but was too proud to ask directly, so he used his mother instead.
While He Mei and Li Haichao are talking, Dongdong quietly takes his bowl of food to feed Li Haichao's dog, and then is found eating dog food himself. Li Haichao quickly picks up Dongdong and takes him to wash his hands and mouth. He then prepares a table full of dishes and continues talking with He Mei. Li Haichao, upon learning about He Ziqiu's hardships abroad, feels remorseful, calling himself an "incompetent, poor father" for letting He Ziqiu suffer.
He Mei genuinely comforts him, acknowledging that no one else could have managed raising three children as well as Li Haichao did. She is touched by Li Haichao's tender care for Dongdong and smiles. After receiving the infuriating call from Zhao Huaguang, He Ziqiu is consumed by anger and confusion. He feels deeply humiliated by the insinuation that he indirectly sought money through his mother. He throws his phone and storms out of the house.
Li Jianjian, who had just arrived with watermelon, is baffled by his unusual behavior, as he bumps into her without acknowledgment. She quickly calls Li Haichao and then chases after He Ziqiu. They find him at He Mei's shop, where Li Haichao and He Mei also soon arrive. He Ziqiu confronts He Mei, tearfully questioning why she continues to interfere in his life and expressing the profound shame he feels from her asking Zhao Huaguang for money on his behalf.
He asserts that he doesn't harbor hatred for He Mei or Zhao Huaguang for abandoning him, but he simply cannot comprehend why he is always the one left behind. He recounts how only Li Jianjian and Li Haichao ever took him in when he needed a family.
He declares his unwavering determination to earn money, to open Li Jianjian's favorite coffee shop filled with her preferred desserts, and to provide the absolute best for those who never abandoned him, wanting everyone to know he is thriving and does not need pity. He tells He Mei he does not need her apology, only that she lives her own life well and without regret.
As He Ziqiu finishes speaking, he turns to leave and pauses, seeing Ling Xiao standing at the doorway, who looks at him with deep sympathy. He Ziqiu walks past Ling Xiao and departs with him and Li Jianjian. Li Haichao remains, visibly worried about He Mei. He Mei apologizes to Li Haichao for causing trouble, promising it will not happen again. After Li Haichao leaves, He Mei crouches down and breaks into sobs.
Li Jianjian and Li Haichao, who had been standing outside and overheard every word He Ziqiu spoke, have red, tearful eyes, acknowledging that they, along with Ling Xiao, are likely the only ones who truly comprehend the immense suffering He Ziqiu has endured. The four then ride home in the car, all remaining silent and heavy-hearted. Li Jianjian sits beside Ling Xiao, her spirits equally low.
