Never Gone Episode 18 Recap
> Never Gone Recap
On the evening of the 29th of the Lunar New Year, Shen Juan accompanied Zhang Yue to a symphony concert. Zhang Yue complimented Shen Juan's classy suit, then playfully asked why he didn't return the compliment. He told her her dress was beautiful.
Before entering, Shen Juan impressed Zhang Yue with his knowledge of the orchestra's 160-year history and their performances at the Golden Hall, even mentioning his favorite, Mahler's "Symphony No. 9," which he'd researched after seeing her record collection. Zhang Yue was pleased but noted she also enjoyed Walter's "Song of the Earth." Just as they were about to enter, Shen Juan received a phone call from his mother.
She expressed her loneliness spending the Lunar New Year alone and hoped he could take a few days off after the holiday to visit. Shen Juan, however, claimed he was busy with a project that needed his attention during the New Year period, then abruptly ended the call when an usher reminded him the performance was starting. His mother on the other end let out a wistful sigh.
Meanwhile, Su Yunjin's home was brightly decorated with colorful lanterns arranged by Uncle Ding. Su Mother inquired about Su Yunjin and Jin Zi's romantic progress, but Uncle Ding, knowing the truth about the fake blind date, vaguely replied that the young couple would communicate in their own way and it was best to let their relationship develop naturally. Su Yunjin was in her room, tidying items, when she opened Cheng Zheng's New Year's gift: a cleverly designed architectural drawing.
As she stared at it, Uncle Ding came in to call her for dinner and, noticing the drawing with Cheng Zheng's name on it, quickly pretended not to see it to avoid embarrassing her. Later, at a Western restaurant, Shen Juan surprised Zhang Yue by presenting her with a bouquet of roses, wishing her a "Happy Lunar New Year." She found the greeting unusual for roses but fitting for the occasion.
He then revealed another surprise: two plates of Chinese dumplings, explaining his tradition of eating them with family for the New Year. Since he was away from home, he wanted to share that experience. He also mentioned that he'd discovered the restaurant offered Chinese dishes during the festive season. Although Zhang Yue found the dumplings tasted strange with the other food, she appreciated the gesture of him wanting to spend the New Year with her.
They raised their red wine glasses, toasting to "red wine with dumplings." Recalling his earlier phone call, Zhang Yue advised Shen Juan not to be so absorbed in work and to have a longer chat with his mother on the upcoming Lunar New Year's Day. As their evening concluded, Zhang Yue playfully declared that Shen Juan was on a "probation period" with no contract, and his ability to become "permanent" would depend on his future performance.
On Lunar New Year's Eve, the Cheng and Zhang families gathered for a celebratory dinner. Cheng Mother and her brother, Zhang Jinmeng, tried to persuade Cheng Zheng to join Hengkai, the family company. Zhang Jinmeng pointed out that Zhang Yue hadn't been performing well, so Cheng Zheng could help, allowing them to retire early. Cheng Zheng, a sophomore, politely deflected, saying he still had classes.
Cheng Mother emphasized that his father, who had recently transferred back to Shanghai, knew the architectural engineering sector was booming and encouraged him to gain practical experience to potentially surpass his father in a few years.
When asked for his opinion by Cheng Father, Cheng Zheng firmly stated he had no intention of joining the company now or in the future, as he wished to pursue a career as an independent architect and create his own designs, rather than following his father's path. Zhang Jinmeng expressed skepticism about the difficult and competitive nature of freelance architecture, but Cheng Zheng maintained his resolve to try.
That evening, Mo Yuhua called Su Yunjin to wish her a Happy New Year. Su Yunjin playfully teased her about her past New Year wishes always revolving around Zhou Ziyi, whether it was to confess her feelings or stop liking him. Mo Yuhua admitted Su Yunjin was the only person she confided in for such things. Su Yunjin reassured her that her feelings didn't matter, as long as Mo Yuhua was happy.
Mo Yuhua then solemnly revealed her new year's wish: to try and give up on her hopeless affection for Zhou Ziyi. Su Yunjin supported her decision, stressing that happiness in the process was paramount. After they said their goodbyes, Su Yunjin received a text message from Cheng Zheng wishing her a Happy Lunar New Year and thanking her for motivating him.
Elsewhere, Jin Zi sent Mo Yuhua a thoughtful text, reflecting on their fake blind date, suggesting that while it was hard to open one's heart, perhaps someone was already inside. As students returned to school, the search for internships began. Su Yunjin's friend, An Ran, excitedly announced she secured an internship with Blue Miracle, joking that the public relations industry was superficial.
When discussing her own options, Su Yunjin chose MD Network, an internet company, over Tianxing Media, a PR firm, because MD Network offered a higher salary. She explained that her family still had debts, and Uncle Ding had been supporting them for years, so she needed to earn money. She believed that the future was uncertain, and it was important to choose a path and commit to it.
Mo Yuhua, preparing for her fourth-year department transfer at the hospital, hoped to be placed in a department she enjoyed. On her first day at MD Network, Su Yunjin was introduced by her colleague, Brother Li, as a fourth-year PR student from University Yaodong. She was then introduced to Miss Guo, the Project Director, who immediately assigned her to verify data and check sample surveys from the previous person-in-charge, telling her to send the results via email.
Miss Guo dismissed Brother Li's attempt to explain Su Yunjin's PR background, stating that the major was irrelevant and ordered Su Yunjin to quickly complete her onboarding. Later, Miss Guo sternly reprimanded Su Yunjin for adding her own ideas to a proposal. Su Yunjin tried to explain that she found the previous data unreliable due to a lack of face-to-face interaction and wanted to improve it.
Miss Guo angrily questioned if Su Yunjin thought she was more experienced than the entire planning department and ordered her to redo all the work according to instructions, warning her not to leave until it was done. Just then, Brother Li announced the arrival of another intern. Miss Guo initially scoffed, saying they didn't need "trash," but Brother Li explained it was a new company policy to double intern numbers for internal competition.
To Su Yunjin's astonishment, the new intern was Cheng Zheng. It turned out that Cheng Zheng had learned from Zhou Ziyi that Su Yunjin was interning at MD Network, so he followed her there. He introduced himself to the department, and Miss Guo warned all interns to behave, declaring her office was not a shelter. Cheng Zheng playfully pinched Su Yunjin's arm, asking why she was there, and she returned the question. He showed his intern badge, confirming his presence.
Su Yunjin, exasperated, implored him not to cause trouble. Cheng Zheng, seeing her distress, promised to protect her. She then insisted they pretend not to know each other. Though initially reluctant, saying he wasn't an actor like Hu Ge and many people had seen them interact, Cheng Zheng eventually agreed, then playfully asked her name again, suggesting they "get to know each other again."
During lunch, he offered her his salad, deeming her food too oily, and opened her drink for her. Meanwhile, Mo Yuhua, now transferred to the neurology department, found herself feeling uneasy after observing a craniotomy on her first day. Unable to eat, she ordered a milk tea. Su Yunjin called her, and Mo Yuhua conveyed her discomfort. Su Yunjin then excitedly shared that Cheng Zheng had also joined her company, momentarily distracting Mo Yuhua.
Soon after, Mo Yuhua unexpectedly encountered Jin Zi at the hospital. He was there accompanying a student suffering from acute gastroenteritis. They shared a laugh, recalling their amusing fake blind date. Jin Zi playfully admitted he had known Mo Yuhua was lying about having a boyfriend that day, having "tricked" her into revealing it.
Mo Yuhua, having only ordered one milk tea, offered it to Jin Zi, but he declined, stating his preference for sugar during stress but not sweet drinks. When Mo Yuhua asked how his parents reacted to their "date," Jin Zi recounted telling them she was too beautiful and popular for him, which led them to stop asking after two tries. Jin Zi then offered to show Mo Yuhua around his "best middle school" sometime.
Separately, Zhou Ziyi attended an interview for a physical education teacher position. The interviewer, an experienced PE teacher himself, pointed out Zhou Ziyi's low university grades. Zhou Ziyi explained he focused on football, aiming only for passing grades in other subjects. The interviewer then tested his knowledge of physical education theory, emphasizing its importance for middle school students' health and physical development.
Although Zhou Ziyi's academic performance and theoretical knowledge were deemed insufficient for the teaching position, the interviewer, recognizing his passion and skill in football, offered him a coaching position for the school's football team, which was preparing for a national competition. Zhou Ziyi enthusiastically accepted.
