Go Go Squid! Episode 20 Recap
> Go Go Squid! Recap
Yaya, feeling nervous, apologized to Mi Shaofei for her earlier curiosity about his disappearance. Mi Shaofei, in turn, shared that he hadn't achieved great things like Han Shangyan and had spent the last few years at home. Yaya encouraged him to continue competing, believing in his abilities. Mi Shaofei explained that after Team Solo disbanded, he felt there was no point in staying, a sentiment similar to Han Shangyan’s.
Yaya correctly deduced that he returned for Wang Hao, but Mi Shaofei added that he also wanted to try again for himself. Still feeling shy, Yaya confessed her deep admiration for him as a fan, quickly clarifying it wasn't romantic interest. Mi Shaofei, surprised, admitted he never thought he had fans and initially suspected Han Shangyan was playing an April Fool's joke on him.
Yaya proudly showed him their fan community group, boasting over a hundred devoted fans, some of whom would buy and eat a cake every year for his birthday, write thousands of unsent letters, or take photos with his picture while traveling. She explained that when he announced his return to competition, everyone in the group, including herself, cried tears of excitement. Later, the group played games together. Yaya enthusiastically cheered for Mi Shaofei, but he failed to secure a win.
When Han Shangyan proposed a picnic, Mi Shaofei, Ou Qiang, Tong Nian, and Yaya all joined. As they set up, Han Shangyan remarked that he usually only brought his team members to this spot for jogging, making this his first picnic here. Ou Qiang playfully teased him for being a "mood-killer." Yaya asked Ou Qiang if this was Mi Shaofei’s first picnic, and Ou Qiang confirmed it was the first he knew of, adding that Mi Shaofei was always selfless.
During the picnic, Tong Nian gently chided Han Shangyan for eating too quickly, explaining the care put into preparing the food. She then encouraged him to open his heart more, for himself and for her, describing her ideal moment as them standing together, enjoying the afternoon breeze, and her holding his hand. After the picnic, Han Shangyan drove Tong Nian and Yaya back to their school.
Tong Nian, reluctant to leave, showed Han Shangyan the necklace he gave her, asking if he liked it. She noted it was quite long and had to be looped around her wrist multiple times. Han Shangyan replied that it was fine as long as she didn't lose it. When she asked if it was expensive, he casually called it "street vendor stuff," but Tong Nian insisted she loved it regardless.
She then messaged him, expressing how happy she was that day. Yaya, meanwhile, was ecstatic, telling Tong Nian her hand was still shaking from scanning Mi Shaofei's WeChat QR code. Back at SP Club, Han Shangyan told Mi Shaofei and Ou Qiang that his task was done, implying he no longer needed to contact them. The two friends playfully teased Han Shangyan for his unpleasant demeanor despite having a girlfriend.
Tong Nian's mother, while chatting with her aunt, expressed her dislike for Han Shangyan, believing he was spoiled and rebellious, citing his decision to start an "internet club." Her aunt subtly implied that Han Shangyan might have "cheated" Tong Nian's feelings. Tong Nian's mother then revealed that Tong Nian and Han Shangyan had broken up, and since Tong Nian was very upset, her aunt should avoid mentioning him. She added that she hoped Han Shangyan hadn't been deceitful.
Later, Zheng Hui approached Tong Nian for help, explaining that his mother needed a liver transplant and that her father was an authority on liver tumors at People's Hospital. Tong Nian advised him to bring his mother to Shanghai for further examinations and offered to message her father. Tong Nian secretly sent a WeChat message to her father, detailing Zheng Hui's family's financial struggles.
Moved by the situation, her father told Zheng Hui that his mother could stay at their home. Tong Nian and her father reassured Zheng Hui, emphasizing their long-standing friendship and his past help during an international programming competition. Zheng Hui tearfully thanked them. Around the same time, Han Shangyan was on a video call with his Norwegian colleagues. They were curious about his new girlfriend, pressing him to bring her to his stepmother's upcoming wedding.
Han Shangyan, initially dismissive, eventually promised to bring her once their relationship was more "settled." Shortly after, Tong Nian, along with Zheng Hui, welcomed Zheng Hui's mother to their home. Tong Nian's mother, unaware that Tong Nian and Han Shangyan were back together, warmly greeted Zheng Hui's mother and openly praised Zheng Hui to Tong Nian, suggesting he should visit more often to help his mother and study with Tong Nian. Tong Nian, uncomfortable, resisted, citing potential misunderstandings.
She then asked her mother if she liked Han Shangyan, to which her mother vehemently replied no, criticizing his stern expression and lack of smiles, calling him untrustworthy. Tong Nian tried to defend Han Shangyan, assuring her mother of his loyalty and sincerity to his friends. Her mother, however, brought up Han Shangyan's "forced" acknowledgment of Tong Nian as his girlfriend during the New Year's Eve dinner and his perfunctory gift of fruit on New Year's Day.
She concluded by saying she was glad they broke up, as he wouldn't have passed her and her husband's approval, advising Tong Nian, who was "too naive," not to believe everything a man nearing thirty says. Distraught by her mother's harsh words, Tong Nian confided in Yaya, saying Han Shangyan was pitiful because everyone, including his own family and her parents, disliked him. Yaya playfully remarked that his future mother-in-law had successfully "dragged a god off his altar."
Tong Nian, however, emphasized that Han Shangyan was a "god" in the history of the CTF competition and expressed a strong desire to treat him better, wanting to "buy him the whole world." She asked Yaya for ideas on how to make a workaholic like him happy, and Yaya promised to help her think of something.
Meanwhile, at SP Club, Wang Hao informed Mi Shaofei that due to his performance, he would be swapped with Team Two's captain, Fu Ying, after the next group match. He could only return to Team One if his individual ranking reached the national top 30 next year. Mi Shaofei accepted the decision gracefully but requested Wang Hao to keep it a secret from Ou Qiang, knowing his friend was emotionally sensitive.
Soon after, while Mi Shaofei and Ou Qiang were chatting, Yaya sent Mi Shaofei a message: "Idol, do you know what Han Shangyan likes?" Mi Shaofei's expression subtly brightened, piquing Ou Qiang's curiosity. Mi Shaofei then asked Ou Qiang about Han Shangyan's preferences, to which Ou Qiang jokingly replied, "scolding people." Yaya quickly messaged Mi Shaofei again, thanking him and offering to treat him to a meal.
Having learned that Han Shangyan liked cats, Tong Nian spent an afternoon picking out a small white cat. She took it to the K&K Esports Club, where Han Shangyan had just defeated Shen Zhe in a game, assigning Shen Zhe a week of cleaning duty. His teammates teased Shen Zhe and commented on Han Shangyan's romantic life. When a teammate announced that "Sister-in-Law" was at the front desk, Han Shangyan quickly went to meet Tong Nian.
Inside his room, Tong Nian presented the cat, explaining she chose it for him and would send him pet care instructions. Han Shangyan revealed he had "raised a cat before," a hint of sadness in his eyes. Misinterpreting his reaction, Tong Nian urged him to play with the cat and keep her updated on its condition.
Han Shangyan questioned if she was trying to "tie him down with a cat," but Tong Nian insisted she merely wanted the cat to cheer him up. He sarcastically noted he had "a whole house of boys" and wondered why she thought he'd be bored. Tong Nian, disheartened, asked if he disliked the cat, to which he replied, "He's tolerable."
She mentioned she had spent an entire afternoon choosing it and had even consulted Mi Shaofei, noting its resemblance to a cat Han Shangyan once owned. Han Shangyan was surprised Mi Shaofei had shared that information. As Tong Nian prepared to leave, she told him there was a letter in the cat's box and to remember to miss her. Then, impulsively, she hugged him tightly and kissed him. His teammates, who had been secretly watching, quickly dispersed.
Later, Han Shangyan read Tong Nian's letter, which poured out her feelings and encouraged him. Her heartfelt words brought warmth to his room and even rekindled his fond memories of past friendships. Later, Yaya was riding her bicycle to a class when she spotted Mi Shaofei outside her dorm building. She noticed he had sent her a selfie message that said, "Look where I am."
Panicking about her appearance, she quickly rushed back to her dorm to change and put on makeup. Mi Shaofei called her, asking her to wait. Yaya then ran back downstairs, out of breath. Meeting her, Mi Shaofei remarked that she looked different. Yaya admitted she hadn't expected him to actually come. Mi Shaofei then confessed that in his mind, she was still like a "photograph," and he found it hard to treat her like a "regular person."
They decided to eat at the university canteen, as Mi Shaofei wanted to relive his college days. At the canteen, Yaya ordered an excessive amount of food, wanting him to try everything. Mi Shaofei joked it was enough for ten people, but Yaya insisted they finish it. As they walked around campus, they chatted about physical fitness tests. Yaya was amazed to learn that Mi Shaofei was a long-distance running champion in high school.
Mi Shaofei asked if meeting him in person had "destroyed her illusion," but Yaya affirmed it hadn't. He reflected on his past achievements, feeling "useless" now. Yaya quickly defended him, reminding him that he was now part of SP. To her surprise, Mi Shaofei handed her a special seating ticket for his upcoming match in Shanghai, thanking her for her years of support. Yaya was thrilled, as she hadn't been able to buy tickets, and she promised to definitely attend.
Meanwhile, Han Shangyan's grand-uncle was visiting Tong Nian's parents. He complained that Han Shangyan was always at his club and never came home, and that Han Shangyan expected him to understand his passion for "playing with computers." Tong Nian's aunt then shifted the conversation to Zheng Hui and his mother staying with the family. She praised Zheng Hui as hardworking and ambitious, noting that he was pursuing a doctorate and had a bright future, subtly highlighting his appeal to Tong Nian's parents.
