Go Go Squid! Episode 32 Recap
> Go Go Squid! Recap
That morning, Han Shangyan received a call from Mi Shaofei, who informed him that Buff was leaving. Han Shangyan immediately rushed to Buff's hotel, only to find that he had already checked out from room 1019. Despite this, Han Shangyan remained determined, calling Buff’s Chinese name, Bi Dongran, loudly at the train station.
Buff, who was eating McDonald’s, heard the commotion and summoned Han Shangyan over, teasing him about still enjoying the same food after all these years and questioning his loud behavior in public. Han Shangyan wasted no time and asked Buff if he still wanted to compete. Buff confirmed, explaining that he needed to support his wife and son.
Han Shangyan then outlined his offer, acknowledging Buff's strong performance as the captain of a national championship-winning team and his current rank of fourth. However, he also noted Buff's age, suggesting he could only play for two more years before retirement. Han Shangyan proposed a two-year contract, stating that while Buff would join the main team, he would start as a substitute to allow time to gel with the other players.
He clarified that Buff couldn't participate in the current national cyber security competition but could join for the Asia Cup. Buff readily agreed, expressing his deep desire to compete. He asked for a clause in the contract guaranteeing his entry into the main team if his performance didn’t decline, which Han Shangyan accepted. Buff also wisely suggested delaying his official entry into the K&K club until after the national finals to avoid destabilizing team morale.
Han Shangyan agreed, confident that the team, which valued performance, would accept Buff after a meeting. Buff thanked Han Shangyan for saving his career, calling him a "savior" for allowing him back into the competitive scene. Han Shangyan dismissed the sentiment, attributing the offer purely to Buff's abilities and emphasizing the importance of delivering results in cyber security competitions. Buff then jokingly demanded reimbursement for his wasted train ticket, to which Han Shangyan agreed.
Following their agreement, Buff was to temporarily stay at Mi Shaofei’s place until after the finals. Mi Shaofei was shocked when Han Shangyan told him about signing Buff, immediately worrying about the financial strain on Han Shangyan. Then, Han Shangyan revealed his intention to marry Tong Nian. Mi Shaofei was incredulous, questioning why Tong Nian, in her prime, would want to marry Han Shangyan, and jokingly suggesting Han Shangyan was unsuitable as a husband despite his good looks.
Meanwhile, in her dorm, Tong Nian shared Han Shangyan's marriage talk with Yaya. Yaya was surprised, deeming it too early, but Tong Nian felt it was appropriate, declaring she didn't want to break up and that marriage was the natural progression. Yaya raised concerns about Han Shangyan's single-minded focus on competitions, their ten-year age gap, and his infamous bad temper, asking if Tong Nian wasn't afraid of being scolded.
Tong Nian passionately defended him, highlighting his gentleness, cooking skills, and hardworking nature, stating that people misunderstood him and that he was the best. Yaya playfully concluded that Tong Nian was "muddled by lust." Nearby, 97 eavesdropped on Han Shangyan and Mi Shaofei's conversation about the impending marriage in the tea room. Han Shangyan quickly caught him and warned him to keep quiet, but 97, unable to contain his excitement, immediately ran off to tell Demo and G Shuai.
The news spread like wildfire among the K&K team, who began speculating about wedding dresses, wedding candies, and the couple living and sleeping together. Back in the dorm, Tong Nian confided in Yaya about her biggest hurdle: her mother, who still believed Tong Nian and Han Shangyan had broken up. Tong Nian was worried about how to reconcile her parents to Han Shangyan without him being "scolded again" or "misunderstood" by her mother.
Yaya suggested they set aside their worries for now and help Mi Shaofei clean his apartment for Buff's arrival. When Yaya and Tong Nian arrived at Mi Shaofei's place, Yaya was diligently cleaning the bathroom while Tong Nian went to buy groceries. Buff arrived with Mi Shaofei and, upon seeing Yaya's thoughtful efforts, mistakenly assumed she was Mi Shaofei's wife, praising her kindness.
Yaya quickly clarified her true relationship, stating she was just Tong Nian's best friend and Han Shangyan's girlfriend's university classmate. Outside, Han Shangyan and Tong Nian shared an ice cream by the car. Han Shangyan, displaying a surprisingly tender side, insisted Tong Nian stay in the shade while he moved boxes himself. This chivalrous gesture delighted Tong Nian, who gushed about his handsomeness and growing affection for him.
Yaya observed this interaction, remarking that Han Shangyan, whom she had once thought "wild and hard to tame," had become a "born animal tamer" under Tong Nian's influence. Later, the group, including Mi Shaofei, Yaya, Han Shangyan, Tong Nian, and Buff, gathered for dinner and drinks. A slightly inebriated Buff raised a toast to Han Shangyan, expressing his long-held regret that Han Shangyan had retired before the World Championship.
He firmly believed that if Han Shangyan had played, the Chinese team would have won the World Championship, lamenting the lost opportunity. Buff proudly declared himself the only one who had ever beaten Han Shangyan, playfully adding that if Han Shangyan had been a World Champion, he would then be a greater player. Mi Shaofei also chimed in, claiming he had beaten Buff once.
Buff then became emotional, tearfully thanking Han Shangyan for "saving his life" and allowing him to return to the competitive stage. As Han Shangyan had been drinking, Tong Nian confidently offered to drive, proudly announcing she had just obtained her driver's license precisely for such occasions. Han Shangyan buckled up, but his confidence quickly waned as Tong Nian struggled to operate his automatic car, looking for a non-existent clutch and nearly causing an accident.
She blamed his conversation for distracting her. Despite her initial fumbles, Han Shangyan conceded and let her continue driving, jokingly offering his life to her while reminding her to focus. On the road, Tong Nian drove too fast, prompting an angry shout from another driver. Upon arriving at the K&K underground parking, Tong Nian became flustered trying to park, confusing parallel parking with reverse parking. Amused by her struggles, Han Shangyan called Shen Zhe to help park the car.
Shen Zhe arrived and lightened the mood by teasing them about getting married. Inside the club, they encountered Auntie Zhao, who had waited up specifically to offer her help with wedding preparations, drawing on her experience as a matchmaker in her village. Tong Nian, blushing, thanked her while Han Shangyan politely dismissed the offer, saying they would contact her later.
In their room, Tong Nian worried about Han Shangyan's financial situation, concerned that the club's expenses and Buff's contract might leave him short for a wedding, and she did not want to be a burden. Just then, Shen Zhe knocked, fabricating a story about being unable to find a ride home, a thinly veiled attempt orchestrated by the team to encourage Tong Nian to stay the night. Han Shangyan, however, told him to rest and he would arrange a car.
Tong Nian then directly voiced her concerns about his finances. This led to a minor disagreement, stemming from a miscommunication: when Tong Nian voiced her concerns about his finances, Han Shangyan misinterpreted it, believing she was questioning his commitment or ability to secure their future with her parents. Tong Nian then felt Han Shangyan wasn't understanding her.
She brought up a past incident where she ate mangoes, to which she was allergic, because he had peeled them for her, whereas he hadn't noticed her preference for strawberries. She concluded that he didn't truly understand her. Han Shangyan, exasperated, suggested they both calm down and left the room. Alone, Tong Nian immediately regretted her words, feeling foolish for having spoken them, acknowledging Han Shangyan's seriousness about her. She considered going after him but decided to give him space.
Meanwhile, Han Shangyan, feeling he should be more accommodating as the man, sought advice from Shen Zhe on how to appease a girl. Shen Zhe suggested either lipstick or food, specifically mentioning cream puffs, strawberry cake, and chocolate as good options for "Sister-in-Law." When Han Shangyan returned to the room, he found Tong Nian asleep.
He gently placed a pillow under her head and covered her with a blanket before sitting on the floor, resting his head on the same pillow as hers, a loving gesture that lasted until morning. Upon waking, Han Shangyan remembered Shen Zhe's advice and also recalled how Wang Hao used to cheer up Ai Qing with food. He went out and bought an assortment of strawberry items: fresh strawberries, strawberry macarons, and strawberry cake, hoping to reconcile with Tong Nian.
When he returned, Tong Nian, who had woken up anxious and worried about his absence and silence, was relieved to see him. Han Shangyan apologized for losing his temper the previous night and promised to improve. He admitted he wasn't good at comforting girls but had tried his best with the strawberry treats. Tong Nian, overcome with affection, impulsively pounced on him, playfully biting his lip, clearly desiring him more than the sweets.
