Go Go Squid! Episode 19 Recap
> Go Go Squid! Recap
Back at her university dorm, Tong Nian's best friend, Yaya, expressed concern about Tong Nian's new boyfriend, whom she assumed was just an "internet cafe old man" potentially scamming her. Yaya doubted his claim of being a cybersecurity expert. Tong Nian insisted her boyfriend was a "Grand Master Level" figure in the CTF world, known for being exceptionally skilled.
Yaya, scoffing at the claim, explained that the "Grand Master Level" title is reserved for individuals who have revolutionized the industry, expanded the CTF market in China, and achieved legendary results, with fewer than twenty such individuals in the last decade.
She cited examples like Lei Meng and Richard Stallman, and acknowledged the former dominance of European teams before the rise of influential Chinese teams like Team Solo, whose members were her childhood idols, including Mi Shaofei, Gun God, Wang Hao, Ai Qing, and Ou Qiang. Yaya passionately declared her dream of meeting them someday. To Yaya's astonishment, Tong Nian then casually revealed that her boyfriend was indeed Gun God.
Still skeptical and thinking her friend was being fooled by an impostor, Yaya decided she would join Tong Nian's online game that night to expose the "old man." That evening, Tong Nian and Yaya went online to play a game. K&K team members Shen Zhe, 97, and Demo were already online, grumbling good-naturedly about being "dragged" by their boss after training to play with "Sister-in-Law" Tong Nian, with Demo particularly nervous about his performance. Tong Nian invited Yaya to join.
Yaya, still hoping to expose Tong Nian's "internet cafe old man," was stunned when she saw the IDs of K&K's renowned players. Tong Nian, admitting she was new to the game, asked Yaya to guide her. Yaya humbly stated that anyone would seem amateur compared to the K&K pros. After enabling voice chat, Tong Nian enthusiastically praised Yaya's extensive gaming experience since middle school, suggesting she might be better than the K&K players.
Yaya, however, felt she was "the greatest trash ever seen" compared to them. When Yaya asked if they were truly K&K members, Shen Zhe jokingly replied that they were "for now," hinting at possibly joining SP if offered more money. Suddenly, Han Shangyan appeared and, noticing his team members chatting with Tong Nian and her friend, jealously ordered them to turn off their mics. Shen Zhe whispered that "Old Han is jealous."
Demo, 97, and Shen Zhe quickly complied, with Demo offering to exit. Han Shangyan then had a private voice chat with Tong Nian. He instructed her to choose only a dagger for practice, which Tong Nian found to be a "pro-level" method, despite Yaya's confusion. Han Shangyan, who was coughing, watched over Tong Nian as she practiced jumping on boxes.
Tong Nian asked if he'd mind her slow learning, to which he playfully responded that he never expected her to learn, merely "killing time." The two were clearly radiating romantic energy. Later, Yaya asked Tong Nian about her first encounter with Han Shangyan, and Tong Nian simply mentioned meeting him at an internet cafe, which Yaya found strange for a person of his status.
Yaya then shared her deep admiration for Team Solo, explaining how their dedication in the face of public misunderstanding had inspired her own academic success since middle school. She tearfully recalled the team's disbandment as the end of an era. Yaya then confessed her long-standing admiration for Mi Shaofei, Team SP's versatile player, and asked Tong Nian if she had ever met him.
Tong Nian confirmed she likely saw him when Team SP was in Sanya, which deeply impressed Yaya, who showed off her extensive collection of his photos and match videos. Meanwhile, Han Shangyan was in Sanya, recovering from tonsillitis and receiving an IV drip. Zhou Shan unexpectedly appeared, expressing concern about his health and apologizing for her past words and actions regarding professional rankings.
Han Shangyan, however, remained cold, dismissing her apology as pointless and bluntly asking the doctors to escort her out, stating that her presence was more troublesome than his illness. Later, Tong Nian messaged him, asking for a favor. After his IV drip was finished, Han Shangyan sought out Mi Shaofei, who was also in Sanya. Mi Shaofei playfully remarked on Han Shangyan finally asking for help, but readily agreed to assist with Tong Nian's request, acknowledging her as "sister-in-law."
Han Shangyan then returned to his room and sent Tong Nian a message, informing her that he would be delaying his return to Shanghai by one day. Tong Nian, who was at her university dorm in Shanghai, was writing in her love diary about their unexpected first trip to Sanya, cherishing the surprises and discovering his good qualities, when she received his message.
She wore a piece of jewelry he gave her, feeling it might be mature but wanting to wear his love. Back in Shanghai, Wang Hao picked up his daughter, Little Ai, from school, intending to have dinner with Su Cheng, Little Ai's mother. However, Little Ai, sensing her father might be leaving her, emotionally refused to meet her mother, insisting on doing her homework in Wang Hao's office instead.
Reluctantly, Wang Hao canceled dinner with a hopeful Su Cheng, who was already preparing to meet them. At the SP club, Global Operations Director He Nana met with Wang Hao, presenting him with emails from the board expressing concerns about Mi Shaofei's recent performance. She reminded Wang Hao that as Mi Shaofei's initial guarantor, the final decision on his future rested with him. Wang Hao admitted Mi Shaofei's scores were not ideal but was cut short.
Simultaneously, Tong Nian and her friend Lan Mei were at a signing event for Tong Nian's theme song, hosted by Director Xiang. Director Xiang tried to invite both Tong Nian and Lan Mei for coffee after the event. During the signing, two male "hardcore fans" asked Tong Nian to sign their clothes, which she kindly did, acknowledging their long-time support.
Unexpectedly, Han Shangyan appeared with a CD, playfully chiding Tong Nian for readily signing other men's chests despite professing her love for him. Director Xiang initially mistook Han Shangyan's interest for Lan Mei, who was married, and was shocked when Han Shangyan clarified that Tong Nian was his girlfriend. Han Shangyan then told Tong Nian to finish signing while he "took a walk."
After the event, Tong Nian politely declined Director Xiang's invitation for coffee, explaining that Han Shangyan had come to pick her up. As Han Shangyan and Tong Nian left together, Director Xiang, visibly flustered, confided in Lan Mei that he was lucky to have "put on the brakes in time," fearing a "massacre at the exhibition hall" if Han Shangyan had known he was pursuing Tong Nian. Han Shangyan then drove Tong Nian back to her university.
Tong Nian expressed awkwardness about their reunion, but Han Shangyan, with a hint of a smile, assured her the person they were meeting was almost there. Tong Nian, realizing he had made arrangements, excitedly asked if he had spoken to Mi Shaofei. He simply told her to "go see for yourself." At the university, Mi Shaofei approached Yaya in the self-study room, sitting behind her.
Yaya, initially annoyed, thinking it was just another student trying to flirt, curtly told him she was studying. However, her demeanor completely changed to utter shock and speechlessness when Mi Shaofei introduced himself as "Little Mi" from Team SP. Overwhelmed with emotion, Yaya struggled to compose herself, her reactions a mix of crying and laughing, as she quickly gathered her belongings to join him outside. Waiting outside were Tong Nian, Han Shangyan, and Ou Qiang.
Yaya, still ecstatic, greeted her idols. Ou Qiang, in a friendly but overzealous gesture, attempted to hug Yaya, but Mi Shaofei quickly intervened, pushing him away and telling him not to "scare off my fan." Mi Shaofei then announced that it was Team Solo's tenth anniversary and invited everyone to celebrate. Yaya, overjoyed at the prospect of joining them, hugged Tong Nian, declaring it her happiest April Fool's Day ever. The group then moved to Han Shangyan's house.
While Tong Nian and Han Shangyan went to prepare food for a picnic, Mi Shaofei and Ou Qiang chatted with Yaya. Ou Qiang praised K&K's current success but fondly reminisced about Team Solo's past camaraderie, mentioning how much better it would be if Wang Hao were there. Mi Shaofei quickly cut him off, reminding him not to utter Wang Hao's name, fearing it would ruin the celebratory mood.
Later, Tong Nian presented the special tea she had brought for Han Shangyan's grandfather, prompting Han Shangyan to praise her thoughtfulness. Ou Qiang joked about Han Shangyan and Tong Nian's affections, then threatened to reveal Mi Shaofei's embarrassing secrets from the past decade to Yaya, hoping to temper her idol worship, to which Mi Shaofei objected.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, Yaya, on behalf of her fan community, nervously asked Mi Shaofei a long-held question: where he went after Team Solo disbanded, apologizing for her concern over his sudden disappearance, similar to Han Shangyan's. Mi Shaofei reassured her that there was "nothing that can't be said."
