Go Go Squid! Episode 23 Recap
> Go Go Squid! Recaps
Tong Nian and Yaya arrived at the China Regional Qualifier Eighth Finals to watch SP compete against Team Taotao. As the players entered, commentators introduced the teams, highlighting veteran player Mi Shaofei, whose comeback to the CTF scene was unexpected after years of retirement. Their commentary implied he only made the team due to his connections, as he was past his prime and had ranked outside the top 100 in preliminary matches. This motivated Mi Shaofei to prove himself.
In the SP locker room, Appledog encouraged him not to feel pressured and to perform as usual, assuring him of her belief in him. As the attack-and-defend match began, Han Shangyan arrived just in time to see Mi Shaofei about to secure the victory for SP. Mi Shaofei played exceptionally well, essentially carrying his team to win the match. During the post-match ceremony, SP's captain, Hua Ti, handed the microphone to Mi Shaofei for a speech.
To everyone's shock, Mi Shaofei announced his immediate retirement, stating this was his last professional competition. He thanked everyone for their support over the past ten years, expressing peace and gratitude for a career he compared to a brilliant, brief firework. He then entrusted their shared dream of becoming national and world champions to Ou Qiang, the only member of their original Solo Team still competing.
Yaya, deeply moved, cried from the audience, while Han Shangyan, having just heard the news, looked as devastated as he had when he announced his own retirement years prior. Enraged, Han Shangyan stormed backstage to confront Wang Hao, demanding to know who forced Mi Shaofei to retire. Appledog tried to intervene, but Han Shangyan pushed her aside, grabbing Wang Hao by the collar and reminding him of his past promise to take care of their former teammates.
Wang Hao confessed he had failed to uphold that promise regarding Mi Shaofei and offered to endure any blows from Han Shangyan without retaliating. Mi Shaofei entered, defusing the tense situation. Han Shangyan immediately offered him a spot on K&K, but Mi Shaofei gently declined. He stated that with his current ranking outside the top 100, he felt he would only be fit to "wipe screens and wash keyboards" there.
Afterward, Ou Qiang expressed his disappointment in Mi Shaofei for his sudden, public retirement. Mi Shaofei admitted he wasn't satisfied with his performance but knew his tempo and endurance couldn't keep up with younger players, and he simply wanted a perfect curtain call. He reminded Ou Qiang that as long as he continued to compete, the spirit of Solo Team would live on.
Later, Ou Qiang spoke with Tong Nian, clarifying that Mi Shaofei's decision was his own and that Wang Hao and Appledog had not known beforehand. He asked Tong Nian to comfort Han Shangyan, recognizing the deep impact Mi Shaofei's retirement had on him. Meanwhile, Wang Hao, filled with regret, reflected on his failures to help Mi Shaofei. Yaya went to console Mi Shaofei, reassuring him that his old fans would always support him.
Mi Shaofei then faced his fans outside, apologizing to them, and was met with sadness but also strong support, with many suggesting he start live streaming. Back at the K&K club, Demo's mother arrived, insisting on terminating her son's contract, adding another layer of stress for Han Shangyan, which Tong Nian observed from a distance, feeling helpless. The next day, Mi Shaofei went to the SP club to formally sign his termination agreement with Wang Hao. The atmosphere was somber.
Mi Shaofei took full responsibility for his performance and explained that with Han Shangyan, Appledog, and Wang Hao himself having already retired, he felt it was his time too. Overcome with emotion, Wang Hao tore up the contract, emphasizing that their brotherhood was more profound than any legal document and promised to always support him. He then secretly instructed the staff to double Mi Shaofei's compensation, with the additional amount to be deducted from his own bonus.
Later, Mi Shaofei, accompanied by Yaya and Tong Nian, visited Han Shangyan at K&K. Expecting a confrontation, Tong Nian and Yaya were surprised when the two old friends instead playfully challenged each other to a race and engaged in lighthearted shoving. They all went to a restaurant for drinks. Han Shangyan offered Mi Shaofei a place to stay at his home, but Mi Shaofei humorously declined, insisting on maintaining clear boundaries.
After drinking heavily, Mi Shaofei went out to a bridge, overwhelmed with regret for his past retirement and feeling sick. Yaya followed, offering him tissues and support, seeing past his idol image to the vulnerable man beneath. Inside the restaurant, Tong Nian tried to talk to a visibly drunk Han Shangyan.
She brought up his unreliability while he was in Norway, but he interrupted, coldly stating his trip was not for work but for a matchmaking session arranged by his family with a wealthy and beautiful woman. When Tong Nian questioned their relationship, Han Shangyan stated they were only "getting to know each other." He claimed their age difference made communication difficult and that at almost 30, he needed to get married, implying she should also "see other people."
He then bluntly told her that he didn't like her. Heartbroken, Tong Nian left the restaurant. As she walked away, Han Shangyan privately reaffirmed a promise he had made to himself: not to bother Tong Nian again or allow her to harbor any romantic illusions about him.
