Never Say Goodbye Episode 15 Recap
> Never Say Goodbye Recap
Rong Yao received a call informing him that Dakun had died in a car accident during transport. He relayed the grim news to his team, emphasizing that they were now on their own to rescue Comrade Zhao Nan. He immediately ordered them to prepare for action. Meanwhile, inside a cold chain truck, Mu Qing was replacing Zhao Nan's nutrient solution when he noticed a bomb on Zhao Nan's body, its timer ticking down.
Mu Qing quietly informed Zhao Nan that Director Liu had sent him to save him. Zhao Nan, hearing the commotion outside, felt it was too late and urged Mu Qing to escape. Mu Qing adamantly refused to leave him and continued trying to disarm the bomb. As Zhao Nan again pressed him to leave, Mu Qing recalled Ou Kexin mentioning her favorite poem's chapter and verse.
He quickly inputted "110703," which corresponds to "Page 11, chapter 7, verse 3" of a poetry book, and successfully disarmed the bomb. Mu Qing assured Zhao Nan that police assistance was on its way and then quickly left to distract Xiaowei. He pulled Xiaowei out of the truck, but Xiaowei immediately questioned why Mu Qing had saved Zhao Nan. Mu Qing insisted it was for their collective good, arguing that the police wouldn't spare them otherwise.
Xiaowei, prioritizing their escape, followed Mu Qing. Once they had reached a safer location, Xiaowei, still suspicious, demanded they go see Mr. Glasses as Dakun had instructed in case of trouble. Mu Qing tried to reason with Xiaowei, revealing that Dakun was a police informant and Mr. Ou had intended to eliminate him.
He claimed Dakun's apparent hatred for him and failure to kill him was part of a facade to promote Mu Qing, and that Mr. Ou had now given him Dakun's territory, urging Xiaowei to understand the current dynamics. Suddenly, Mr. Glasses arrived with his men, having been contacted by Xiaowei earlier. Mr. Glasses confronted Mu Qing about the incident at the cold chain factory and the police involvement.
Mu Qing explained that he was merely taking over Dakun's territory when he stumbled upon a hidden police officer and barely escaped. When Mr. Glasses turned to Xiaowei for confirmation, Xiaowei unexpectedly supported Mu Qing, stating it was a police raid and Mu Qing was not involved. Although still wary, Mr. Glasses warned them that their luck would not last and advised Mu Qing to "tread carefully." Mu Qing, feigning humility, thanked Mr. Glasses and requested his continued guidance.
Mr. Glasses also hinted at further trouble, mentioning that Congtou and Tieguanyin were already at Mr. Ou's residence. After Mr. Glasses departed, Xiaowei confronted Mu Qing again, expressing his distrust but explaining that he didn't want to play into Mr. Glasses' hands, whom he also didn't trust. Xiaowei warned Mu Qing that if he ever found evidence of Dakun being framed, he would not let Mu Qing off the hook.
Mu Qing then reasserted his authority, reminding Xiaowei that he was now his boss. At the hospital, Li Yimeng anxiously inquired about Zhao Nan, and a doctor confirmed that Zhao Nan was out of critical danger. Director Liu was informed that all individuals involved in the car accident were out of danger. Rong Yao suspected a "double-cross" in Dakun's death, finding the accident too convenient.
Director Liu privately revealed to Rong Yao that Mr. Glasses had bribed the driver, likely acting on Ou Zhenhai's instructions to eliminate Dakun and prevent any information leaks. Director Liu instructed Rong Yao to set this aside for now, as they still needed Mr. Ou to eventually apprehend "Spectre." He reiterated that the K Group remained their primary focus and that with Skylark now activated, they would be responsible for protecting two undercover agents simultaneously.
Back at his home, Mu Qing reflected on the day's events, recalling Ou Kexin's words about the poem and the precise chapter and verse, reinforcing his belief that she was Skylark. Meanwhile, Li Yimeng visited Rong Yao to apologize for her earlier impulsiveness and misjudgment regarding Zhao Nan's rescue. Rong Yao accepted her apology. Li Yimeng attempted to engage him in small talk, mentioning his family's history in law enforcement, which visibly made Rong Yao uncomfortable.
She advised him to relax more, before leaving him a packed meal. The three "Kings" – Congtou, Mr. Glasses, and Tieguanyin – gathered for a meeting. Congtou questioned why Mr. Glasses had not eliminated Mu Qing after the major incident at the cold chain factory, sarcastically remarking on his newfound "kindness." Mr. Glasses handed Congtou a gun, challenging him to do it himself. Congtou declined, deeming it too reckless to act alone and suggesting they plan together.
Tieguanyin, however, agreed that Mu Qing could not be allowed to live. Congtou then proposed acting during Ou Kexin's upcoming birthday party. Mr. Glasses affirmed Congtou's point that the three of them were on the same side, which Tieguanyin acknowledged. Immediately after leaving the meeting, Tieguanyin instructed her subordinates to locate Mu Qing, intending to confront him herself. Mu Qing went to Ou Kexin's shop, bringing her a rare 1983 edition of "Poems of Shelley" that contained the "Skylark" poem.
Ou Kexin accepted the gift but remained evasive about her identity, leaving Mu Qing uncertain. She playfully remarked on her changing preferences for the poem, eventually accepting it "out of politeness." Soon after, Tieguanyin arrived, chatted with Ou Kexin, and then invited both Ou Kexin and Mu Qing to dinner. At the restaurant, while Ou Kexin stepped away to order, Tieguanyin secretly warned Mu Qing that Mr. Glasses and Congtou were plotting against him.
She then offered to cooperate with Mu Qing, stating that while the others sought "power" (the "shrimp head"), she was content with merely the "tail," implying a share of the profits. Mu Qing discussed Tieguanyin's proposition with Li Ruosheng. Mu Qing suggested a strategic move: giving up some of Dakun's territories, viewing it as a "favor."
Li Ruosheng vehemently opposed the idea, emphasizing the effort and risk involved in acquiring those territories and recalling how Dakun had previously stolen their turf. Mu Qing countered that their rapid rise had made them targets for the other "Kings," especially since Glasses, Congtou, and Tieguanyin had gained no direct benefit from Dakun's downfall and would not let it go.
Mu Qing proposed an "advance by retreating" strategy to maintain stability within the organization and act cautiously, which he believed Mr. Ou would approve of. He also pointed out that Dakun's territories were now under police surveillance, making them a significant liability. After much discussion, Li Ruosheng reluctantly agreed to Mu Qing's plan to subtly and discreetly redistribute Dakun's territories. Later, everyone gathered at Mr. Ou's home to celebrate Ou Kexin's birthday.
During dinner, Congtou attempted to subtly insult Mu Qing by making a sarcastic remark about "stir-fried squid," implying that Mu Qing was a troublesome "headache" that needed to be "fired." Ou Kexin deftly diffused the tension by suggesting they add "green onions" to her father's dish, humorously implying that Congtou himself could be the "onion" and metaphorically threatening his own "head." Congtou quickly apologized and raised a toast to her.
As guests presented their gifts, Tieguanyin gave a new fall fashion collection, Mr. Glasses presented a flawless jade necklace, and Congtou gave another necklace. Ou Kexin appreciated all the gifts. However, when Mr. Glasses presented the jade, she remarked that such a precious item should be kept safely at home, as wearing it might "cause trouble," an indirect jab at Mr. Glasses' character. Her father simply told her to do as she pleased.
She then asked Mu Qing to help her put on Congtou's necklace. Noticing Mu Qing hadn't given her a separate gift, she playfully teased him. Li Ruosheng intervened, claiming his necklace was a joint gift from him and Mu Qing, but then quickly admitted it was solely his. With no physical gift, Mu Qing offered to fulfill three of Ou Kexin's wishes unconditionally.
For her first wish, Ou Kexin declared that Mu Qing would be her "reserve boyfriend," with the possibility of being promoted to "official boyfriend" if he proved worthy and made her happy. Li Ruosheng immediately objected, highlighting Mu Qing's indispensable roles as his business partner, roommate, and strategist. He jokingly offered his own services as an assistant, listing his admirable qualities, but Ou Kexin rejected him, calling him "stupid" and a "flirt."
She then pressured her father to agree to her wish, which he reluctantly did. Ou Kexin further stated that if Mu Qing made her happy, he would become her official boyfriend. Later, Mr. Ou privately inquired if Ou Kexin's persistent demands made Mu Qing uncomfortable. Mu Qing respectfully assured him that while Ou Kexin could be demanding, he found her sincere and charming.
He affirmed his understanding that she was Mr. Ou's cherished daughter and promised to always act with discretion and maintain appropriate boundaries. Pleased with Mu Qing's mature response, Mr. Ou praised his calm and thoughtful demeanor, noting his ability to handle matters with ease and think twice before acting. He then assigned Mu Qing the critical task of rebuilding the group's shattered sales network, which he described as their "lifeline."
Mr. Ou asked if Mu Qing could accomplish this within two weeks. Mu Qing confidently promised to complete the task in just one week. Mr. Ou, visibly impressed, then invited Mu Qing to join him for tea.
