Never Say Goodbye Episode 23 Recap
> Never Say Goodbye Recap
Mr. Ou observed that Tieguanyin and Mu Qing had been getting too close recently. Suspecting that Tieguanyin was after Mu Qing’s lucrative new methods, Mr. Ou instructed Yan Jing to investigate Tieguanyin's business dealings: if the profits were channeled back to the group, Yan Jing should remain silent, but if Tieguanyin were to betray them for personal gain by embezzling, action would be necessary as it was a matter of principle.
Mr. Ou then sent Yan Jing to summon Mu Qing and Li Ruosheng. Upon their arrival, Mu Qing and Li Ruosheng maintained their pretense of animosity. Li Ruosheng taunted Mu Qing, accusing him of cowardice and ruining seven of his turfs, warning that Mr. Ou would not tolerate it. Mu Qing retorted, dismissing Li Ruosheng as nothing without Mr. Ou's backing. Yan Jing interrupted their argument, directing them upstairs. Inside, Mr. Ou noted their evident discord.
He asked Mu Qing about his alleged cold war with Kexin, which Mu Qing denied. Li Ruosheng interjected, claiming Mu Qing was rekindling an old relationship, which Kexin discovered, leading her to angrily return home. Mu Qing and Li Ruosheng continued their heated exchange, with Mu Qing asserting his actions were for the group and Li Ruosheng accusing him of merely pursuing women. Mr. Ou believed their performance, concluding that the woman involved was indeed causing significant trouble.
It was then that Yan Jing reported that Mu Qing’s former girlfriend, Linda, was working for Tieguanyin, an important detail he had failed to report earlier. Yan Jing explained that three years prior, Mu Qing, then a waiter, had saved Linda, who subsequently sought to repay him, though Mu Qing declined. He had only recently discovered that Linda was now working for Tieguanyin.
Mr. Ou found these coincidences striking, wondering if Tieguanyin was employing a "honeytrap," especially given their past animosity that nearly turned deadly over two servers. Later, at Congtou’s bar, Li Ruosheng feigned despondency while drinking alone. Congtou approached him, inquiring about his mood. Li Ruosheng lamented that Mu Qing, who was once just a security guard before his intervention, had now risen in status, stealing Kexin and Linda, and was preparing to go solo, leaving him out.
Congtou, curious about Linda, learned that she was a modeling agent working for Tieguanyin. Li Ruosheng speculated that Mu Qing was actually targeting Tieguanyin’s processing factory, intending to partner with her and sideline him. Congtou expressed skepticism, citing Tieguanyin’s cautious nature and her single-minded pursuit of money, wondering if she would tolerate Mu Qing’s involvement with her subordinate, especially after the incident with Dakun.
Li Ruosheng countered with the adage, "Wealth is gained from taking risks," insisting that Mu Qing and Tieguanyin were capable of such a scheme. Congtou, now half-convinced, discreetly dispatched Lily to gather more information from Li Ruosheng. In a hotel room, Li Ruosheng, feigning drunkenness, asked Lily for a head massage and confided in her. He spoke of his unrequited love for a girl whom his "brother" deliberately pursued, despite knowing his feelings.
He claimed to have given his "brother" everything, including cars, houses, and even his life, yet his "brother" remained ungrateful. He then implied that Tieguanyin sought to secretly profit with "us" (himself and Mu Qing, a line staged for Congtou's benefit), suggesting that Congtou would be jealous. He stated that the success of their plan depended on Lily's performance the following night, leaving her to believe that Mu Qing was engaged in "dirty stuff" behind Congtou's back.
Lily suggested Li Ruosheng might be mistaken. After Lily left, Congtou confirmed that Li Ruosheng had revealed everything without suspicion and instructed Lily to keep it strictly confidential. Congtou then pondered whether to inform Mr. Ou, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. Li Ruosheng, discovering a bug in the hotel room phone, subtly called Mu Qing, informing him that Congtou had not yet committed to a stance. Mu Qing replied that he needed more time to devise their next steps.
Mu Qing met with Ou Kexin, informing her that Congtou’s attitude remained ambiguous, possibly indicating other intentions. Mu Qing confidently stated that as Mr. Ou's "cash cow," no one would dare to harm him without first finding a suitable replacement. Kexin, however, cautioned him about the inherent dangers and urged him to activate the "emergency protocol" if necessary, mentioning that Director Liu would provide support. Mu Qing assured her he understood and would consider it only as a last resort.
Kexin then reminded him to use the back door, emphasizing the need to maintain their pretense of being estranged, as seeing him felt like "sneaking around." Meanwhile, Ou Kexin was frustrated that Mu Qing would not answer her calls. She was particularly vexed as Tieguanyin was due to visit her shop the next day, and she lacked the necessary clothing materials. She mentioned that Tieguanyin was bringing a Thai-Chinese acquaintance to help with her business.
In her agitation, Ou Kexin vigorously chopped a watermelon, complaining to Mr. Ou about Mu Qing ignoring her. Mr. Ou, recalling Yan Jing's "honeytrap" theory regarding Linda and Mu Qing, found Ou Kexin's current situation unsettlingly similar. To address the situation, Mr. Ou decided to host a family dinner on Saturday, inviting both Mu Qing and Tieguanyin, and encouraged Kexin to seek Tieguanyin's advice. Kexin happily agreed to the arrangement.
Elsewhere, Congtou listened to Li Ruosheng's recorded drunken ramblings, growing increasingly angry at Tieguanyin for supposedly enjoying a prosperous life without his involvement. He vowed to bring an end to her good fortune. Tieguanyin visited Mu Qing at his home, expressing her desire to have dinner with him. Mu Qing offered her food, which she complimented. She inquired if he had truly broken up with Ou Kexin.
Mu Qing, feigning indifference, stated that Kexin refused to trust him, and their relationship, being forced, was destined to fail anyway, so ending it was for the best. Tieguanyin, satisfied with his response, noted, "Then I got it," and they continued to drink. She also informed him that Li Ruosheng and Congtou had spent the entire previous night drinking at the bar, wondering aloud what they could have been discussing and if Mu Qing cared.
The next day, Huang Boyuan, introduced by Tieguanyin, arrived at Ou Kexin’s fashion shop, intending to custom-make a dress for Kexin herself. He immediately expressed his interest in her. Kexin, uncomfortable with the idea of a blind date, declined. Huang Boyuan, undeterred, suggested they begin as friends, citing their shared experience of studying abroad and the high probability of a successful relationship. Kexin, who had studied in France, playfully challenged his "science guy" approach and his inability to speak French.
Huang Boyuan countered that understanding was sufficient and requested a chance, starting as friends. Just then, Mu Qing arrived with some fabric. To provoke him, Kexin deliberately introduced Huang Boyuan as her "new boyfriend" and Mu Qing as her "ex-boyfriend and errand boy." Mu Qing, remaining composed, simply wished them happiness, further infuriating Kexin. Huang Boyuan praised Kexin and criticized Mu Qing's lack of appreciation, then invited Kexin to dinner, which she accepted.
Soon after, as Mu Qing and Tieguanyin were in a car, Tieguanyin asked if Mu Qing was going to Mr. Ou’s dinner. Mu Qing stated he believed Mr. Ou was trying to "test them" and he had no desire to "run into the gun," then promptly exited the car. Mr. Ou received a call from Kexin, who informed him of her decision not to return home for dinner as she had accepted Huang Boyuan’s invitation.
Yan Jing reported that Mu Qing also wouldn't attend the dinner but would apologize in person later that evening. Mr. Ou then instructed Yan Jing to investigate Huang Boyuan's connection to Tieguanyin. Later, only Tieguanyin arrived at Mr. Ou’s family dinner. Mr. Ou reminisced with Tieguanyin about their shared history and the importance of their bond. He praised her intelligence and loyalty, describing her as the smartest of his "Four Vajras."
Mr. Ou noted that Mu Qing and Kexin were arguing and thanked Tieguanyin for looking after Kexin, acknowledging that she had introduced someone to her. Tieguanyin confirmed that she had introduced her wealthy friend from Thailand to Kexin. Mr. Ou then specifically asked Tieguanyin to "take good care of those two kids," referring to both Kexin and Mu Qing. Tieguanyin promised to do her best. Separately, Congtou’s subordinates brought Li Ruosheng to him, having ambushed him earlier that morning.
Li Ruosheng, initially resistant, eventually asked Congtou why he was involving himself in his personal conflict with Mu Qing. Congtou responded by remarking on Li Ruosheng's stubborn temperament. Later, Tieguanyin recounted Mr. Ou's exact words to Mu Qing: "Please take care of Kexin and Mu Qing." She expressed her understanding of Mr. Ou’s request to look after Kexin but admitted her confusion as to why Mu Qing was included.
