Never Say Goodbye Episode 5 Recap
> Never Say Goodbye Recap
Mr. Ou is seen diligently searching online for news reports about the fire Ou Kexin mentioned in the French suburbs. Simultaneously, Mr. Glasses is on the phone, verifying the incident with his contacts in Paris. He confirms to Mr. Ou that the fire was more extensive than initially reported, having damaged two adjacent villas, and that the Paris police have officially opened a case.
Mr. Glasses explains that if Ou Kexin were to return to France, she would face charges of aggravated arson, carrying a minimum sentence of three years, and bail would be denied. He also informs Mr. Ou that, given her current legal status, Ou Kexin would be unable to obtain long-term residency in any other country. Frustrated by this predicament, Mr. Ou instructs Mr. Glasses to urgently find an alternative solution to safely send Ou Kexin away.
Mr. Glasses agrees, a sinister look briefly crossing his face as he turns away. At the Public Security Bureau, officers are discussing the arrival of a new commissioner for the Drug Task Force, Rong Yao, noting his youth and seemingly distant demeanor. Director Liu soon formally introduces Rong Yao, highlighting his extensive experience and successful track record in international anti-drug operations, including missions in the Golden Triangle, South America, and Russia.
Director Liu announces that Rong Yao will now assume full leadership of the Yungang Drug Task Force. During the introduction, Liu Yimeng, a fellow officer, briefly recalls her first encounter with Rong Yao at a shooting range, where his exceptional marksmanship left a lasting impression. Rong Yao then begins his briefing, presenting alarming new data about a potent synthetic drug, G3307, which has already infiltrated several South American countries.
He explains that G3307 is lab-produced, not relying on traditional ephedrine, and is 20 times more addictive and destructive to the human nervous system than high-purity methamphetamine. He stresses its danger, stating that just one-sixth of a gram in a 300ml drink can permanently addict ten people.
Rong Yao reveals that the individual responsible for this drug's formula, known as Spectre, has made contact with Mr. Ou, the head of the domestic Group K, and Bunichi Matsumoto, a Japanese drug lord. He suggests Spectre is likely evaluating both as potential distributors in Asia. Rong Yao declares that the immediate priority is to locate Spectre and destroy G3307 at its source.
He then introduces Jimmy, a 42-year-old transnational drug trafficker on Interpol's wanted list, who has recently been spotted operating in Yungang's nightclubs. Rong Yao believes apprehending Jimmy is crucial to unraveling the larger drug trafficking network. He emphasizes the collective responsibility of the team and schedules a meeting in 20 minutes to plan Jimmy's arrest for that very night.
As Rong Yao concludes, Captain Bao Yunhai attempts to interject, but Director Liu quickly steps in, stating he will personally address Bao Yunhai's concerns and escorts him to his office, instructing the other officers to follow Rong Yao's directives. In his office, Bao Yunhai immediately voices his resentment, questioning Rong Yao's knowledge of Yungang's intricate drug landscape and Group K, which he has personally investigated for years.
He uses a "mighty dragon vs. native serpent" analogy to express his frustration at Rong Yao's sudden appointment, for which Director Liu sternly reprimands him. Rong Yao then enters, and Director Liu encourages Bao Yunhai to speak directly. Bao Yunhai challenges Rong Yao's confidence in catching the elusive Spectre. Unfazed, Rong Yao asserts that Spectre will likely surface in Yungang and hands Bao Yunhai a file containing relevant information.
After Bao Yunhai exits to review the documents, Rong Yao candidly tells Director Liu that while Bao Yunhai is capable, he might not be suitable for his specialized team. Director Liu advises Rong Yao against premature judgment, reminding him that the impending arrest of Jimmy will serve as an initial opportunity for Rong Yao to evaluate and select his team members, urging him to exercise prudence. Rong Yao assures Director Liu of his understanding.
Meanwhile, Ou Kexin, Li Ruosheng, and Mu Qing are at a bar, celebrating Ou Kexin receiving three million yuan from Mr. Ou and her relief at not having to leave the country. Ou Kexin admits that the fire in France, which triggered her current legal troubles, was a genuine act of revenge after she discovered her long-term boyfriend cheating.
Li Ruosheng lightheartedly asks for their 500,000 yuan debt back, prompting Ou Kexin to promise them 1 million if they keep her entertained. Mu Qing and Li Ruosheng also discuss Ou Kexin's living arrangements. Despite Li Ruosheng's teasing about his potential romantic interest, Mu Qing insists that having his "godsister" stay with him would be inconvenient and complicate his covert activities.
They ultimately decide that Ou Kexin will stay at Li Ruosheng's place, and Mu Qing will temporarily move into Li Ruosheng's guest room. Their conversation is cut short when Li Ruosheng spots Jimmy. Mu Qing confirms Jimmy's identity and, sensing an opportunity, quickly escorts a protesting Ou Kexin out of the bar, putting her in a taxi and dismissing her, stating he has "things to do."
Returning to Li Ruosheng, they observe Jimmy conducting a professional drug deal characterized by separate delivery and payment. Li Ruosheng recognizes Jimmy as a former associate of Xiaofoye, a subordinate of Dakun. He suspects Dakun is attempting to encroach on their VIVI club. When Mu Qing and Li Ruosheng confront Jimmy, who speaks fluent Mandarin after studying in Shanghai, Jimmy remains defiant, refusing to halt his operations at their club, bolstered by Dakun's backing.
A frustrated Li Ruosheng declares their intention to officially challenge Dakun, but Mu Qing assures him he has a strategy. Concurrently, Rong Yao and Liu Yimeng arrive at the bar to execute Jimmy's arrest. As Mu Qing witnesses Rong Yao's presence, he experiences a vivid flashback to a hospital operating room, where Rong Yao, referring to him as Liu Yuanwen, angrily accuses him of failing to protect his sister and Liu Yuanwen's fiancée, Rong Yu.
During the operation, Liu Yimeng is unexpectedly surrounded by a group of drunk men and drops her gun, prompting Rong Yao to intervene. Amidst the chaos, Jimmy notices the police and flees. Mu Qing directs Li Ruosheng to monitor the exterior while he remains inside. Rong Yao and his team pursue Jimmy through a back exit. Jimmy eventually runs into Mu Qing in an alley, leading to a physical struggle.
Mu Qing manages to overpower Jimmy and shoves him into a trash bin. Rong Yao's team momentarily loses track of their suspect, but Director Liu quickly sends Rong Yao a text message confirming that "Jimmy is inside the trash bin in the back alley!" Rong Yao and his team then swiftly locate and apprehend Jimmy.
Following the arrest, Rong Yao sternly reprimands Liu Yimeng for dropping her gun during the mission, emphasizing the severe consequences of such a mistake and instructing her to submit a written self-review report. He then orders his team to proceed with Jimmy's overnight interrogation. Liu Yimeng is visibly frustrated by Rong Yao's harshness. Later, Rong Yao reviews surveillance footage from the bar and discovers Mu Qing's involvement.
Director Liu then informs Rong Yao that Mu Qing (Liu Yuanwen) has been an undercover police officer for over two years. Separately, Li Ruosheng returns to Mu Qing, agitated by the police presence. He expresses concerns that Mr. Ou is deliberately positioning them to "stir things up" among the Four Vajras, who, according to Li Ruosheng, hold the true power within Group K, making him and Mu Qing potential pawns.
Feeling overwhelmed, Li Ruosheng leaves Mu Qing to devise a plan. During Jimmy's interrogation, he initially feigns ignorance, claiming not to understand English and threatening legal action for mistreatment of a foreign tourist. However, Rong Yao, demonstrating his linguistic abilities, interrogates him in various languages, including Spanish, and points out Jimmy's fluent Mandarin. Faced with Rong Yao's unwavering resolve, Jimmy finally breaks down and confesses that he obtained the drugs from Xiaofoye.
Director Liu, observing the interrogation, acknowledges Rong Yao's impressive effectiveness. Later, Director Liu meets with Mu Qing (Liu Yuanwen), who expresses his confusion and mild frustration at not having been informed about Rong Yao's presence during Jimmy's arrest. Director Liu explains that it was a deliberate test of their coordination, which they passed commendably. Mu Qing asks if Rong Yao still holds a grudge against him.
Director Liu reassures him that both he and Rong Yao are highly experienced police officers and performed excellently. He reiterates that future operations will necessitate close cooperation between Mu Qing and Rong Yao, and Mu Qing acknowledges this understanding. Back at the Public Security Bureau, Rong Yao reports to Director Liu that the "Xiaofoye" lead, obtained from Jimmy's interrogation, represents a significant opportunity to infiltrate Group K.
Director Liu offers Rong Yao the entire team previously led by Bao Yunhai, citing their existing experience with drug cases and Group K's operational methods. However, Rong Yao respectfully declines, requesting instead to personally select and assemble a specialized task force, explicitly excluding Bao Yunhai, to enhance their investigative capabilities. Impressed by Rong Yao's thoroughness, as he had already screened the resumes of all police officers in Yungang, Director Liu grants his request.
Ou Kexin demands that Mu Qing accompany her on a shopping trip, and he reluctantly agrees, clearly annoyed by her extravagant enthusiasm. As they walk past a Darry Ring jewelry store, Mu Qing pauses, his gaze fixed on a display. He enters the store, lost in memories of his deceased fiancée, Rong Yu. A flashback shows Mu Qing and Rong Yu inside the same store.
A sales associate explains Darry Ring's unique policy: a man can only customize and purchase one ring in his lifetime, using his ID, for one woman, symbolizing an exclusive and lifelong commitment. Mu Qing is seen admiring a particular ring, and Rong Yu, noticing his interest, buys it for him. In a tender moment, Mu Qing decides to reciprocate and orders a matching pair of rings.
When he attempts to pay, the associate reminds him that only the man can initiate the purchase. Rong Yu then confidently produces her card, declaring, "Your card is my card." They both sign the "true love agreement," with "Liu Yuanwen" listed as the promisor and "Rong Yu" as the promisee, a poignant reminder of their past. Mu Qing remains absorbed in these bittersweet recollections.
