Go Go Squid! Episode 35 Recap
> Go Go Squid! Recap
After their parents' meeting, Tong Nian's parents verbally granted her permission to formally date Han Shangyan, allowing her to accompany him to Beijing for competitions without needing to report back on every detail. Han Shangyan and his stepmother were pleased, seeing their wedding plans progress smoothly. However, when Tong Nian returned home, having missed dinner, she eagerly questioned her parents about the meeting.
They vaguely stated that they now understood Han Shangyan better and implicitly approved of their relationship, but they skillfully dodged any direct questions about marriage, leaving Tong Nian feeling that their responses were odd. Meanwhile, Han Shangyan’s stepmother, determined to help him resolve his decade-long emotional baggage, persuaded him to visit the old Team Solo base in Shanghai. This property had been purchased by Wang Hao, and his mother and daughter, Little Ai, currently resided there.
Upon their arrival, Han Shangyan's stepmother commented on how Wang Hao, now a regional boss, still lived in the old house instead of a villa, a fact she claimed to have found on SP’s official website. Wang Hao's mother recognized his stepmother immediately, complimenting her youthful appearance. Little Ai, initially calling Han Shangyan a "monster," eventually greeted him as "Uncle Han" at her grandmother's insistence.
Han Shangyan's stepmother gave Little Ai a red envelope and then inquired why Wang Hao had not remarried. Little Ai revealed her father had no plans to do so. Han Shangyan's stepmother shared that Han Shangyan also had a girlfriend and was close to marriage, which led to a humorous debate about family seniority with Little Ai. Reflecting on Han Shangyan's journey since joining their household before he was twenty, his stepmother admired his accomplishments.
Wang Hao’s mother highlighted her son’s sentimental side, pointing to the numerous Team Solo trophies he meticulously preserved in his room. Little Ai, however, remarked that while her father kept his emotions hidden, Uncle Han wore his "deeply ingrained bitterness and hatred" openly. Han Shangyan eventually retreated to the rooftop, a place he and his former teammates once cherished.
While on the rooftop, Han Shangyan received a call from Wang Hao, who had been informed of his visit by Little Ai. Wang Hao observed that the old spot remained unchanged and spoke of the skyrocketing property prices in the area. He confessed that he held onto the old house because he "couldn't let it go," cherishing memories of his "foolish bros" drinking there, dreaming of winning world championships and buying the entire area to live without landlord complaints.
Wang Hao then proposed a get-together the following evening, inviting Han Shangyan to bring Tong Nian, stating it was a traditional "interrogation" for any new addition to their brotherhood. Han Shangyan gave a noncommittal "We'll see," before hanging up, as Wang Hao vowed to keep waiting for his answer. Back at the K&K club, Han Shangyan found 97 diligently preparing for the grand finals.
97 expressed his profound nostalgia and immense pressure, explaining that he entered the e-sports world because of Han Shangyan, and playing in the same arena where his idol once won a championship felt incredibly meaningful. When asked for words of encouragement, Han Shangyan simply advised, "The strong are sparing with their words. The weak are full of nonsense," leaving 97 to ponder his boss’s cryptic wisdom.
Han Shangyan then reflected on the past, acknowledging that while many things had changed, his former teammates were still in this world, and now, he had Tong Nian by his side. The next morning, a joyful Tong Nian met Han Shangyan at the club, thrilled that her parents had officially approved her trip to Beijing with him.
Han Shangyan reassured her, promising to always keep her informed of his whereabouts for competitions, to take her along if she wished, and to always keep her in his heart even if he couldn't call daily. He then kissed her tenderly. They rushed to Hongqiao Airport to see off Han Shangyan's stepmother, who had to return to her husband in Norway.
The stepmother, instantly smitten with Tong Nian, gently advised her about Han Shangyan's sensitive "glass heart" beneath his tough exterior. She warned Tong Nian never to threaten a breakup during arguments, fearing Han Shangyan might react drastically, even suggesting he might "cut his wrist" out of despair. She also passionately recounted Han Shangyan's arduous journey in establishing the K&K Club, emphasizing that his numerous trophies represented immense effort and sacrifice, details he wouldn't easily share.
Tong Nian listened attentively, her admiration for Han Shangyan growing deeper. On the plane to Beijing, Han Shangyan presented Tong Nian with an array of snacks. Tong Nian was embarrassed by the sheer quantity, while Mi Shaofei, observing from a distance, playfully teased Han Shangyan for his "force-feeding" approach to affection, jokingly attributing his past lack of girlfriends to it. 97 quickly chimed in, reminding Mi Shaofei that he himself had only recently found a girlfriend.
Tong Nian, amused by the banter, sweetly assured Han Shangyan that she would eat everything he had prepared. Upon their arrival in Beijing, Wang Hao intercepted Han Shangyan and Tong Nian at their hotel, insisting on a gathering to "interrogate" Tong Nian as the newest "family member." They proceeded to "our old place," an outdoor Beijing dishes restaurant where Team Solo used to celebrate and where Wang Hao had hosted their disbandment meal years ago.
Han Shangyan offered to pay, stating that Wang Hao had covered their somber farewell dinner. However, Wang Hao ordered six cases of beer. As they drank, he became increasingly emotional, tears streaming down his face as he recited a poem about their shared dream of refreshing past glories. Concerned, Tong Nian suggested they slow down, but Han Shangyan simply told her to go pay the bill.
Back in Wang Hao's hotel room, Han Shangyan helped the heavily intoxicated Wang Hao to the bathroom, where their long-suppressed frustrations erupted. Han Shangyan forcefully pushed Wang Hao into the bathtub, confronting him for his cowardice in abandoning the team after becoming a father, just to avoid being a burden. Han Shangyan passionately asserted that no matter how high or far they flew, he had always envisioned Wang Hao as the "wind" that would support them.
Wang Hao, soaked in the tub, tearfully apologized, expressing his profound guilt for making Han Shangyan wait ten years for his "sorry." Overwhelmed, Han Shangyan embraced him, weeping. Outside the bathroom, Appledog arrived to join a worried Tong Nian and 97. Appledog, having been called by Han Shangyan, confirmed that both men were very capable drinkers, despite what Han Shangyan had told Tong Nian.
Appledog then entered the bathroom and tearfully apologized to Han Shangyan, regretting that she and Wang Hao had become a burden at the peak of his career. She reminisced about their first championship win in Beijing, a time of joy despite their poverty. After Tong Nian and 97 cautiously entered, a composed Appledog playfully warned the two men not to "choke up" in tomorrow's finals, asserting that her team, SP, wouldn't be easy to beat. Han Shangyan confidently responded, "Just wait and see."
