Never Gone Episode 12 Recap
> Never Gone Recap
Cheng Zheng is determined to prove his capabilities, particularly against Shen Juan, and decides to enter an architectural design competition. He faces skepticism from a colleague who points out the tight two-week deadline and the high standard of other participants who have had months to prepare. Undeterred, Cheng Zheng declares that if preparation is key, he has been ready for many years. Meanwhile, Su Yunjin and Mo Yuhua are strolling through campus.
Mo Yuhua comments on the recent flu season, mentioning she once anticipated spending Lunar New Year in the hospital. Su Yunjin gently asks about Zhou Ziyi, recalling his visit to Mo Yuhua at the hospital and how they later ended up at Cheng Zheng’s home. Mo Yuhua deflects, inquiring if Su Yunjin has heard from Cheng Zheng, who seems to have vanished.
Su Yunjin then reflects on her relationship with Shen Juan, acknowledging his busy schedule but expressing contentment, finding it a welcome change from previous "earth-shattering" experiences. Mo Yuhua, however, feels differently, expressing a wish for such intensity. Their conversation is cut short when they spot Zhou Ziyi playing with friends. Mo Yuhua blushes and pulls Su Yunjin away, trying to avoid him. Su Yunjin, sensing her friend's turmoil, gently presses her about Zhou Ziyi.
Mo Yuhua admits he kissed her that night but believes he was too drunk to remember, dismissing it as something that "didn't count." Su Yunjin urges her to stop deluding herself and to seek clarity from him, advising her to keep her distance if there's no real future, as she wishes to protect Mo Yuhua from further hurt. Cheng Zheng's architectural design entry successfully passes the initial selection, despite the competition being officially open only to third-year students and above.
The department director summons Cheng Zheng, questioning his unauthorized submission. Cheng Zheng asserts that the competition's essence lies in the quality of the work, not the student's year, and his selection validates his design. The director acknowledges the design's merit, praising its unique style and concept, though noting some areas needing refinement compared to senior students' projects.
Cheng Zheng pledges to refine his work, articulating his philosophy that architecture should embody the designer's inner emotions and love, creating a connection with life and its users, beyond mere technical skill. Impressed, the director makes an exception, allowing Cheng Zheng to proceed but cautioning him not to repeat such a breach of rules. Cheng Zheng expresses heartfelt gratitude, and a fellow student, Xiao Yu, reveals she helped him submit his work, moved by his dedication.
Cheng Zheng clarifies that he is not participating for graduation or career prospects, but "to prove his worth" to a specific person, determined to reach the finals in Shanghai. Concurrently, Zhang Yue confronts her father in his office, accusing him of reneging on their agreement: she would open a bar if she successfully handled two projects independently.
She complains that he deliberately assigned senior managers to her, ensuring any failure would be hers alone, while any success would be attributed to their guidance. Her father counters that she benefited from their extensive professional networks. Frustrated, Zhang Yue labels him a "crook." He dismisses her anger, confident she will eventually understand. Zhang Yue insists on the validity of their agreement. Her father agrees but stresses that managing a bar requires proven capability.
Zhang Yue declares her intent to lead future projects with her own team, refusing any "senior" resources, and audaciously reveals she has recorded their conversation. Her father then cautions her about rumors circulating within the subsidiary, urging her to "behave when it's needed." Later, Shen Juan calls Su Yunjin to arrange dinner at their usual campus spot after work. Su Yunjin agrees, but Shen Juan abruptly ends the call, stating he has urgent tasks.
As Su Yunjin waits, she and Mo Yuhua witness Zhou Ziyi's roommates discarding trash, with one complaining about Zhou Ziyi's constant evasion of chores. Mo Yuhua is devastated to spot the unopened flu medicine she had given Zhou Ziyi among the discarded items, a clear sign of his disregard for her feelings. Heartbroken but trying to appear strong, Mo Yuhua collects the medicine for her dorm.
Su Yunjin, saddened for her friend, attempts to find Zhou Ziyi's roommates but they are gone. Simultaneously, Zhang Yue is having dinner with Shen Juan at an upscale restaurant. She is still upset about the politics at her company, feeling undermined by her father. Shen Juan attempts to console her, suggesting her father means well and encouraging them to work harder together. Zhang Yue then asks Shen Juan to dinner.
Shen Juan accepts and promptly calls Su Yunjin, fabricating an excuse about an urgent project meeting to cancel their dinner. Unaware of his deceit, Su Yunjin seeks out Zhou Ziyi to confront him. She first questions why he discarded Mo Yuhua's medicine. Zhou Ziyi denies throwing it away, blaming his roommates, and dismisses the medicine, asserting he never takes anything for the flu. Su Yunjin then presses him about "other matters," referring to his kiss with Mo Yuhua.
Zhou Ziyi claims he was "really drunk" and has no memory of the incident, pleading with Su Yunjin, as Mo Yuhua's best friend, for advice. Su Yunjin, exasperated, criticizes him for his ambiguous behavior, calling it crueler than outright rejection. She tells him she cannot help. Back on campus, Zhou Ziyi informs Su Yunjin about Cheng Zheng's progress in the architectural competition and his upcoming trip to Shanghai for the finals.
Shortly thereafter, Su Yunjin receives a call from her mother, Huang Li Juan. Su Yunjin asks why her calls to their home phone went unanswered. Her mother provides vague excuses about being out with Uncle Ding and claims the home phone is broken. However, Su Yunjin overhears a nurse in the background calling out a room number for a dressing change. Her mother quickly attributes Uncle Ding's phone battery to the abrupt hang-up.
Alarmed by her mother's evasive tone and the hospital context, Su Yunjin immediately books the earliest bus ticket to Shaoxing for the next morning. Meanwhile, Zhang Yue and Shen Juan are at a high-end restaurant. Zhang Yue, still fuming over her father's corporate manipulations, orders an elaborate meal. Shen Juan orders a similar meal, carefully following her lead, though with a different steak doneness.
He attempts to placate her, reminding her that her father likely has her best interests at heart and reiterating their need to work harder for independent success. Zhang Yue then meticulously instructs Shen Juan on the proper way to cut a steak, guiding him to slice along the grain. They toast, aspiring to prove her father wrong through their collective efforts.
Su Yunjin rushes home, where a neighbor reveals her mother has been hospitalized at Shaoxing Second Hospital for over two weeks, suffering a mini-stroke. Distraught, Su Yunjin hurries to the hospital. Her mother, Huang Li Juan, attempts to downplay her condition, but the doctor explains she took flu medicine on an empty stomach, leading to a mini-stroke and renal failure, necessitating an "exchange transfusion."
The doctor assures Su Yunjin that the procedure was successful, and her mother is recovering well, requiring only rest and regular check-ups. Later, Su Yunjin offers to stay with her mother, suggesting Uncle Ding rest. He then reveals the full extent of their financial crisis. Due to the sudden and urgent nature of her mother's illness, Uncle Ding covered the 150,000 RMB treatment cost by temporarily misappropriating funds from a project.
Su Yunjin is horrified, realizing this is an illegal act that could lead to imprisonment. Uncle Ding explains that these funds were allocated for the project's later stages and were not expected to be audited until after the Lunar New Year, but he still has no means to repay the amount. He confesses that borrowing money is impossible with the New Year approaching.
Knowing Su Yunjin's connection to Cheng Zheng, he reluctantly asks her to intercede with Hengkai—the company whose project funds he embezzled—to delay their audit, hoping to buy time to find the money. Su Yunjin is stunned to learn that the project is for Hengkai, leaving her feeling trapped and helpless. Back at Hengkai, Zhang Yue, now more commanding, rejects several project proposals from the department, branding them "boring" and unoriginal.
She singles out Mr Lin, previously praised by her father, for submitting an unsatisfactory proposal. Despite Shen Juan's hesitation about circumventing standard screening protocols, Zhang Yue insists on having his proposal discussed at the upcoming project meeting, asserting that if the department cannot deliver quality, her team will. Mr Lin later confronts Zhang Yue about the rejected proposals. She criticizes their lack of innovation, noting that similar ideas are outdated in the market.
Employing the steak-cutting analogy once more, she emphasizes the imperative to follow current market trends. She instructs Mr Lin to prepare a superior solution for the next meeting. After he leaves, Zhang Yue tells Shen Juan that while his work is promising, he must strive for greater excellence, reaffirming that she "only trusts him."
