Go Go Squid! Episode 31 Recap
> Go Go Squid! Recap
The K&K Esports Club was still brightly lit even as night fell, reflecting Han Shangyan’s unwavering commitment. Following his team's recent defeat, Buff, for the first time in his life, admitted his respect and surrender to Han Shangyan. Handing over his team badge, Buff urged Han Shangyan to lead his team to a world championship. Han Shangyan accepted the badge, promising to deliver on that goal.
Later, as Han Shangyan lay on a balcony chair, he recalled the ambitious words of his young Team Solo members a decade ago, aspiring to be world champions. These past vows continued to fuel his relentless pursuit of victory, both as a player and as a team owner. That same evening, Manager Mi Shaofei earned not only a stellar coaching record but also the trust and reliance of the young K&K players.
He took the team out for a celebratory meal, where they sang and showed their complete acceptance of him. Feeling honored by the strong results of his debut, Mi Shaofei rallied the team for the upcoming finals. The next morning, Tong Nian, eager to see Han Shangyan, arrived at the club. She first teased him by sending a WeChat message asking him to open his computer.
On his laptop, she played a song and displayed an acrostic poem within the song titles that spelled out "I will always accompany you," then asked him to open the door. When Han Shangyan let her in, he playfully chided her for accessing his computer, but she insisted she had professional integrity. He then joked about hiding "girl's photos, confession gifts, an assortment of things" on another computer, making her momentarily upset before admitting it was just a tease.
Tong Nian then showed him the new K&K homepage she had secretly designed as a surprise for their impressive win. Han Shangyan feigned casualness, remarking that it was a "piece of cake" and he already knew about it, even the video of him she had uploaded. Despite his outward nonchalance, he had secretly viewed the website numerous times after Yaya first mentioned it. He then sincerely thanked Tong Nian, telling her he was very happy.
Han Shangyan leaned in for a kiss, but their moment was interrupted when Mi Shaofei burst in. Mi Shaofei explained that Han Shangyan had messaged him last night to come early. Annoyed, Han Shangyan sent him to the conference room. Tong Nian, noticing Han Shangyan's discomfort and remembering he mentioned a stomach ache, urged him to prioritize work, saying they could "continue" later. In the conference room, Han Shangyan and Mi Shaofei discussed the possibility of signing Buff.
Mi Shaofei raised concerns about Buff's age (30) and the previous rivalry between him and Han Shangyan. Han Shangyan, however, believed Buff would join them to continue his career, as K&K offered the easiest path. The primary challenge was that bringing in a high-ranked player like Buff would likely mean replacing a less skilled member of the current team.
Mi Shaofei expressed his reluctance to let anyone go, but Han Shangyan emphasized that K&K aimed for the world stage, where players would be eliminated by competition if not by the team. Han Shangyan decided to approach Buff himself and asked Mi Shaofei to find out Buff's hotel location before he left Shanghai.
Later, while Han Shangyan was on a call discussing budget overruns for the Norway division, Tong Nian, who had been playing with a cat, slid down to his office. She overheard the conversation on speakerphone and, concerned about his financial strain, offered her personal savings, accumulated from singing. Han Shangyan gently refused, thanking her. The person on the other end of the line playfully suggested Han Shangyan save money for marriage.
Han Shangyan then turned to Tong Nian, asking if she would still be with him if he had no money. She confidently declared she would financially support him, stating she could "make a lot" in her profession and would become a "rich woman." Han Shangyan, while touched, insisted that as a man, he couldn't let her support him and asked her to "give him some face."
Mi Shaofei then informed Han Shangyan that Buff was taking a train the next morning, and that he should go to the hotel early if he wanted to catch him. That evening, Han Shangyan drove Tong Nian home. Before she got out, she leaned in, gently caressing his furrowed brow. She expressed her concern whenever she saw him looking troubled and wished he wouldn't keep so many things to himself.
He replied that he would let go of his biggest worry. When she pressed what that was, he embraced and kissed her, assuring her that with her by his side, he could solve any problem one by one. After she went inside, the security guard from their previous encounter appeared, delighted to see Han Shangyan. The guard, recalling his wife's advice to "persevere," assumed Han Shangyan had successfully reconciled with Tong Nian.
Han Shangyan, beaming with happiness, wished he hadn't driven so he could have a celebratory drink with the guard. He then decided to stay outside Tong Nian's house all night, cherishing the memory of her and their kiss. The next morning, Tong Nian texted Han Shangyan, reminding him it was their four-month anniversary. He playfully corrected her, saying it was "four months and one day," counting from the day they first met.
When she texted "I miss you," he replied, "If you miss me, then come down." Tong Nian, still in her pajamas, quickly threw on a coat and rushed downstairs. Seeing Han Shangyan waiting, she excitedly jumped into his arms, a sweet moment captured by a passerby. In the car, Tong Nian blushed as Han Shangyan adjusted her seat and covered her with a jacket.
She asked if he was tired from staying up all night, and he explained he was accustomed to sleepless nights from training and strategizing for competitions, adding that her smile made him feel "a hundred times more awake." When Han Shangyan asked about her anniversary gift preference, Tong Nian shyly expressed her wish for them to "never break up."
He jokingly interpreted this as a desire for marriage, but cautioned her that it was too early given her unfinished studies and her mother's existing "prejudice" against him. He even quipped that her mother might come after him with a "kitchen knife." Just then, they spotted Tong Nian's father walking his dog. Panicked, Tong Nian quickly hid. Han Shangyan devised a diversion, distracting her father with a conversation while Tong Nian made her escape.
He talked about "passing by" and how seeing her house "brought back memories" of sending Tong Nian home, reassuring her father that his feelings were "more sincere than you think." Tong Nian's father, recalling her past heartbreak, softened his stance and praised Han Shangyan for being "a child who values relationships." As Han Shangyan's hands trembled from the stress, he eventually excused himself to take a "call."
Tong Nian's mother was suspicious of her daughter’s unusually early rise and odd behavior. Meanwhile, Buff was seen at his hotel, bidding farewell to his teammates before leaving for the train station.
