Never Say Goodbye Episode 19 Recap
> Never Say Goodbye Recap
The fashion week commenced with backstage preparations, where Xiaowei, a model, felt nervous about his first runway walk. Linda, a prominent modeling agent, approached him, offering him gum to calm his nerves. She introduced herself and, after observing him, expressed interest in signing him to her agency, Longteng Modeling Agency. Two fellow models noted Xiaowei’s good fortune, remarking that with Ou Kexin's backing and Linda's support, he was sure to become famous.
Soon after, Guanyin called Linda over, reminding her that she was responsible for Linda's success in the fashion world. Guanyin pointed out Li Ruosheng, seated in the first row, and instructed Linda to "get him done" as he was "very useful" to her. Linda acknowledged her debt to Guanyin and assured her she would not be disappointed. Following Guanyin's directive, Linda took a seat next to Li Ruosheng.
She initiated conversation, complimenting his cologne and asking him to compare her beauty to that of Ou Kexin and Mu Qing. Li Ruosheng, in a foul mood after witnessing Ou Kexin and Mu Qing's affectionate interactions, found the show boring and eventually walked away. Linda followed him, and upon his return from backstage, introduced herself. Li Ruosheng reciprocated with his name. Linda commented that he was the first man to take her away from a show.
He then tied a scarf around her wrist, and when she questioned its meaning, he retorted that she knew better than he did. Shortly after, two new models signed by Linda arrived, and Li Ruosheng agreed to join them for a night out. After his walk, Xiaowei searched for Linda but was too late, seeing her leave in Li Ruosheng's car. Sensing something was amiss, he hailed a taxi and followed them.
Linda led Li Ruosheng and her models to a secluded apartment, where a party was in full swing, with many people engaging in drug use. Li Ruosheng was offered "new goods" by Linda, but he declined. Linda then took him to a private room, again offering him drugs and stating, "I'm not an easy person. But you ran into me."
While Xiaowei continued his discreet surveillance from outside, he spotted a woman precariously sitting on a window ledge on the fifth floor, appearing disoriented and in danger of falling. He immediately alerted a security guard, who, upon seeing the scene, urgently called the Drug Task Force. As police arrived and began their raid, the partygoers scattered. Linda quickly led Li Ruosheng through several doors and into a freight elevator heading to the parking lot.
Xiaowei informed the police that he was searching for Linda, an agent from Longteng Modeling Agency, and his presence at the location led him to spot the endangered woman and alert authorities, ultimately uncovering the drug operation. The police confirmed that many suspects were models, some from Longteng, and that the apartment was registered to the agency. They put out an alert for Linda and Li Ruosheng, who had escaped.
In the parking lot, surrounded by police, Li Ruosheng had a sudden idea, and he and Linda hid inside a large trash can. Meanwhile, Rong Yao, observing the surveillance footage, spotted a man disguised as a cleaner pushing the trash can away. He zoomed in on the image, identifying the man as Mu Qing, but chose not to intervene. Mu Qing, who had been alerted by Li Ruosheng when he realized he was in trouble, was there to rescue them.
Ou Kexin was also present and helped them into a car. Mu Qing drove, later swapping to his own vehicle for increased safety. Linda initially wanted to leave them to avoid being a burden, but Ou Kexin insisted she stay, arguing it was too dangerous to venture out alone. They all headed to Ou Kexin's studio, deemed the safest location.
In the car, Li Ruosheng formally introduced Mu Qing and Linda to Ou Kexin, who then introduced herself as "both pretty and talented." Mu Qing observed Linda and asked if she was okay, noting she was "Linda now" and questioning why she was there. Li Ruosheng, noticing the familiarity between them, inquired if they knew each other. Mu Qing confirmed they were "old acquaintances."
At Ou Kexin's studio, she explained there was only one bedroom, so Linda and Li Ruosheng would have to share. Li Ruosheng joked that they would only stay a few nights until the situation blew over. Ou Kexin suggested Li Ruosheng clean his jacket due to the stench from the trash can, prompting him to ask about showering. Ou Kexin directed him to a public, cold-water shower, reserving her private bathroom for Linda.
Linda initially refused Ou Kexin's offer to wash her clothes and provide pajamas. Alone with Mu Qing, Linda stated that if he did not want to see her, she would leave. Mu Qing denied this, but Linda expressed her disappointment in how she had turned out. Mu Qing replied that she had her own path and he did not care.
Linda then thanked him for saving her again, to which Mu Qing clarified that he was only there to save his brother. Li Ruosheng, overhearing this, asked Mu Qing to elaborate on how he knew Linda. Mu Qing recounted that when he first met her, her name was not Linda, but Liu Qingqing. He recalled an incident where a group of men forced Liu Qingqing to drink and then tried to make her take drugs.
Mu Qing intervened, fighting off the men and emphatically warning Liu Qingqing never to touch drugs, as it would "ruin her life." Back in the present, Li Ruosheng playfully teased Mu Qing about their "poignant love story" and wondered why all the women he (Li Ruosheng) liked seemed to be connected to Mu Qing. Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Linda’s drug addiction resurfaced. With unfocused eyes and trembling hands, she retrieved drugs from her bag and used them.
Ou Kexin, hearing the commotion, offered help, which Linda declined. Later that evening, Rong Yao was about to eat instant noodles at the police station when Li Yimeng arrived, having swapped shifts with Zhao Ran due to an emergency. She criticized instant noodles for their lack of nutrition and preservatives, prompting Rong Yao to set his aside and join her for the food she had packed.
He complimented her cooking, remarking it was delicious and asking if she had been a chef before joining the police. Li Yimeng proudly stated she was an outstanding woman, skilled in both cooking and solving cases. She then thanked Rong Yao for his efforts in rescuing Zhao Nan and apologized for her past erratic behavior and bad temper, acknowledging his comforting presence.
Rong Yao dismissed her thanks, explaining it was their duty as police officers to rescue anyone, even at personal sacrifice. Li Yimeng told him not to speak of sacrifice, and he agreed, focusing on eating. Meanwhile, police lab results confirmed that the newly seized drugs matched samples from a long-sought source. The identity of the person selling drugs to the models was crucial. Most confessions pointed to Linda.
While Rong Yao questioned if an agent could wield such power, he acknowledged that Linda was indeed the key to solving the case. The next morning, Mu Qing left Ou Kexin’s studio early. Li Ruosheng was preparing breakfast, commenting on Ou Kexin’s surprise at his culinary skills. Ou Kexin, finding Linda's drug paraphernalia in the trash, then complimented Li Ruosheng’s breakfast. Linda emerged from the bedroom, announcing she was leaving.
Ou Kexin tried to dissuade her, citing the dangers and Mu Qing’s absence. Linda insisted she could assess the risks herself. Ou Kexin revealed Mu Qing had told her about their past, and as a woman, she sensed Linda had deep troubles. Li Ruosheng, deeming it a "women's topic," excused himself.
Ou Kexin offered help, but Linda refused, lamenting that Mu Qing should never have saved her, neither in the past nor now, as he had "saved the wrong person" and she was "willing to give up on herself." She stated, "But this is my life. That's my situation." Ou Kexin pressed, asking how Linda could be sure they wouldn't help if she did not open up, but Linda simply reiterated, "It's not that easy."
Director Liu met with Rong Yao, commending him for the successful raid but noting the lack of a major breakthrough. He advised Rong Yao against rushing and suggested he prioritize cooperating with Yuanwen (Mu Qing's codename). Rong Yao reaffirmed his primary mission to capture "Spectre." Director Liu clarified that if Spectre appeared in Yungang, he would be there to meet "Mr. Ou," implying Ou Kexin’s father.
He reminded Rong Yao that while he had his team for support, Yuanwen often found himself in isolated and helpless situations. Therefore, close cooperation between them was essential to help Mu Qing complete his mission, establish contact with, and ultimately locate Spectre. Rong Yao understood. Director Liu then contacted Mu Qing by phone, informing him that the arrested individuals and seized drugs implicated Linda as being behind the drug distribution.
He also mentioned that Rong Yao would "fully cooperate" with him. Mu Qing sent his regards to Rong Yao, expressing hope that they could one day "sit down and have a drink," a sentiment echoed by Director Liu. Later, Ou Kexin waited for Mu Qing outside the studio in the rain. She explained that she waited to speak privately, having "tried so hard to make her stay."
She handed Mu Qing Linda's drug tools, which she had found in the bathroom, confirming Linda's continued drug use. Mu Qing acknowledged the information and stated he would contact Director Liu. Ou Kexin observed that Mu Qing’s relationship with Linda seemed far more complex than he had portrayed. Mu Qing concurred, admitting, "Our relationship is complicated." He then recalled his past warning to Liu Qingqing about the destructive nature of drugs, lamenting that despite his efforts, she had still succumbed to addiction.
