Never Gone Episode 14 Recap
> Never Gone Recap
Su Yunjin, on a call with Mo Yuhua, reassured her that she bore no ill will for involving Zhou Ziyi, acknowledging it as a necessary step. She trusted Zhou Ziyi to keep the matter secret from Cheng Zheng. Concurrently, Zhou Ziyi arrived at his father Zhou Chang Ming's company, bypassing initial inquiries by stating his identity. After a brief wait, Zhou Ziyi directly asked Zhou Chang Ming for 100,000 RMB. His father, suspecting trouble, demanded to know the money's purpose.
Zhou Ziyi eventually disclosed it was for a female friend whose mother was unwell, subtly confirming it was the girl his father had met at his school. Zhou Chang Ming questioned the depth of their relationship, doubting that Zhou Ziyi would lend such a significant sum to "just a friend" and expressing skepticism about the friend's ability to repay. He also implied Zhou Ziyi's over-reliance on him, asking how he would help his classmate without his father's support.
Zhou Ziyi offered a concession: he would avoid trouble until graduation if he received the money. Zhou Chang Ming agreed but imposed a condition: Zhou Ziyi must visit home at least once a month to see his grandmother, steering clear of his father's other female companions. Zhou Chang Ming articulated his desire to teach his son the importance of personal achievement before helping others.
After Zhou Ziyi departed, Zhou Chang Ming canceled his ongoing meeting and immediately tasked his assistant with finding Cheng Zheng's contact information, recognizing him as Chairman Zhang Jinmeng's nephew at Hengkai Group and a classmate of Zhou Ziyi. Cheng Zheng, annoyed by Zhou Ziyi's repeated unanswered calls, then received a call from Zhou Chang Ming, who requested a meeting. During their encounter, Zhou Chang Ming revealed Zhou Ziyi's request for 100,000 RMB for a female classmate with a sick mother.
This prompted Cheng Zheng to connect the dots and suspect that Su Yunjin was the person in need. Cheng Zheng defended Zhou Ziyi's character, asserting his friend's integrity, and swiftly left to confront him. He found Zhou Ziyi in his dorm room, demanding an explanation. Zhou Ziyi initially tried to evade the topic, then claimed he had fabricated the story to extract money from his father.
However, Cheng Zheng's mention of Su Yunjin calling him surprised Zhou Ziyi, who had believed Mo Yuhua's assurances of secrecy. Cheng Zheng then deduced Su Yunjin's involvement, expressing profound hurt that she would turn to Zhou Ziyi rather than him, questioning if he was truly so disliked. Amidst Cheng Zheng's heated questions to Su Yunjin, Su Yunjin received a call from Uncle Ding.
He joyfully informed her that he had secured 150,000 RMB from an old friend, a former colleague, assuring her of its legitimacy and dispelling any fears of high-interest loans. With the immediate financial crisis averted, Su Yunjin returned the bank card to Zhou Ziyi, expressing deep gratitude for his timely assistance. Cheng Zheng, still reeling, attempted to get Uncle Ding's number to investigate the loan.
Su Yunjin firmly refused, declaring her family's financial affairs private and accusing Cheng Zheng of becoming "too involved." She pointedly told him to understand his boundaries, stating she did not need his "philanthropic" aid. Cheng Zheng argued he was helping Uncle Ding, not her, but Su Yunjin revealed her knowledge of his secret intervention in securing the Hengkai project for Uncle Ding.
While acknowledging his help, she firmly stated that Uncle Ding would conclude his current project and then cease all work with Hengkai. She reiterated that while others could assist her, he could not, and she rejected his "so-called goodwill." As she walked away, Su Yunjin inwardly reflected on the recurring pattern of encountering Cheng Zheng during her most vulnerable moments and how her fear of his judgment fueled her refusal of his help.
Separately, Uncle Ding expressed his reservations to Shen Juan about the large sum of money and the secrecy surrounding it from Su Yunjin. Shen Juan reassured him, promising Su Yunjin would not discover their secret if they both remained silent. He explained their relationship as "good friends" and clarified that he was merely "repaying a past favor." Shen Juan stressed the urgency of repaying the project funds to prevent consequences far greater than financial loss, such as project discovery.
Still feeling a sense of obligation, Uncle Ding presented Shen Juan with an IOU, emphasizing that the debt was his alone, not Su Yunjin's, determined not to burden her or jeopardize their friendship. Shen Juan accepted the IOU, agreeing to a gradual repayment plan and reiterating his commitment to ensure Su Yunjin felt no burden. It was later disclosed that Shen Juan had borrowed this money from Zhang Yue, who had inquired if he needed help for his "girlfriend's" issues.
Shen Juan, while confirming his need, framed it as a way to assuage his guilt towards Su Yunjin, acknowledging their past relationship and his current inability to support her, adding that this was his attitude towards relationships. Zhang Yue, finding his "strange sense of responsibility" both amusing and admirable, agreed to lend him the money, provided he "handle the issue well."
Meanwhile, Cheng Zheng, still brooding over his tense exchange with Su Yunjin, confronted Zhang Yue about the leak concerning Uncle Ding's project. Zhang Yue, in turn, chided him for his "naiveté" and being "love-struck," explaining that his status as Chairman Zhang Jinmeng's nephew and heir at Hengkai made it impossible to keep such a significant action covert from the numerous people involved in a major project. She sarcastically questioned his motives for acting secretly if he ultimately desired anonymity.
Observing Cheng Zheng's despondency, Zhang Yue cryptically offered reassurance, telling him that his "opportunity" in love would soon present itself, alluding to the evolving dynamics in Shen Juan's relationships, which had already tilted towards her. Later, Shen Juan drove to pick up Su Yunjin for a meal at their customary restaurant, where Su Yunjin immediately noticed he was driving Zhang Yue's car.
During their dinner, Su Yunjin attempted to return the 20,000 RMB she had previously borrowed, explaining that Uncle Ding had already secured the necessary funds. Shen Juan, however, declined the repayment, advising her to keep it for any unforeseen family needs, while Su Yunjin insisted he needed it more as he was just starting his career.
Throughout their meal, Shen Juan repeatedly received calls from Zhang Yue, discussing urgent project contracts and plans that would require him to work through the Chinese New Year. He expressed regret about not being able to visit his mother for the holiday and his current inability to bring her to the city. He apologized to Su Yunjin for his preoccupation during her difficult time, though she assured him that his presence was sufficient.
As their dinner concluded, Shen Juan, unable to explicitly verbalize a breakup, delivered a poignant monologue. He told Su Yunjin that she desired companionship and tranquility, while his life was perpetually "nerve-wrecking." He acknowledged her yearning for a "visible future" but explained his daily struggle for professional survival. He concluded by saying he was "just afraid she's unhappy," implicitly conveying the growing chasm between their lives. Su Yunjin understood his unspoken message, recognizing that he was gradually drifting away. She declined his offer to walk her back to her dorm, signifying the quiet end of their relationship.
