Only Side by Side with You Episode 19 Recap
> Only Side by Side with You Recap
An Ning, recuperating in the hospital, faced Big Brother who visited her bedside. She demanded to know the truth, suspecting he was behind the bomb planted in the car that caused her injuries. He began recounting their shared past, reminding An Ning of his vow that she was "only my An Ning." An Ning, however, retorted that while she might be his, he was not only hers.
He tried to rationalize his actions, claiming he had been trapped and had no other choice, stating that one person surviving was better than both dying, and his freedom meant hope for them both. He even offered to donate to her childhood orphanage on her behalf. An Ning, seeing through his manipulative words, realized he had long planned for her to be a scapegoat, bearing his crimes.
She pressed him, asking if he was responsible for tampering with the car and planting the bomb. Big Brother remained silent, unable to meet her gaze. Realizing the depths of his betrayal, An Ning firmly declared that she was no longer the ignorant woman he could control, agreeing with Shi Yue that she should have reported everything to the police sooner. Soon after, An Ning returned from abroad and met Shi Yue.
Shi Yue resumed his role as her driver, and they conversed casually in the car. An Ning mentioned his recent trip to the borders, observing that after all these years, he still couldn't let go of his past troubles. Shi Yue deflected, claiming he had no problems. Upon arriving at An Ning's home, she pulled him inside by his sleeve. In the spacious dining room, Shi Yue poured wine for them as they sat across a long table.
Meanwhile, Nan Qiao arrived at Lucid Dream, looking for Shi Yue. Hao Jie, after taking a call, told her that Shi Yue was meeting an important client and offered to take her home. To placate her, Hao Jie joked that Shi Yue went off “swayingly” to meet the client and that Nan Qiao shouldn't forgive him. Nan Qiao reluctantly agreed, but then claimed to have forgotten her purse, seemingly reluctant to leave.
Back at An Ning’s home, An Ning remarked that despite seeing many places and people, home was still the best. Shi Yue asked how long she planned to stay. An Ning, noting his apparent lack of composure, inquired if he had found a girlfriend and intended to retreat from his current life. Shi Yue dismissed the idea, stating that someone with his past wasn't qualified for a girlfriend.
An Ning reminisced about Shi Yue’s past sayings about old friends and how "things alike come together." She then directly asked if he had found the stolen thesis. Shi Yue confirmed he had, revealing Chang Jianxiong's involvement and Nan Qiao's unwitting connection. He declared his intention to "play it seriously" this time. An Ning challenged him, asking if he knew who Nan Qiao’s father was and if he still dared to proceed.
She chuckled, saying he hadn't changed, and she admired his unchanging vigor. Shi Yue, however, expressed a desire to do "sensible things" now. An Ning promised him a big gift in a few days. That night, An Ning confronted A Tai, scolding him for meddling in Shi Yue's affairs. She then brought him back to her home. An Ning had halted A Tai's business, causing his unspoken displeasure.
She advised him that while money must be earned, some lines shouldn't be crossed. A Tai claimed he would bear any consequences alone, but An Ning reassured him that she wouldn't let anything happen to him or Shi Yue. A Tai expressed his regret that he hadn't accompanied An Ning and Shi Yue to America years ago. An Ning, however, felt their current situation was for the best.
A Tai then asked why she married an American, to which An Ning replied it was a matter of "expedient measures." When A Tai pushed for a deeper relationship beyond just money, An Ning firmly stated that money was their best connection, cautioning against any other expectations. When A Tai persisted, she brought up "Big Brother," reminding him that he would be released sooner or later, effectively silencing A Tai.
An Ning then gave A Tai documents to renovate a new company, telling him she trusted him to oversee the decorations. As he left, A Tai asked if he could still call her "A Ning" when they were alone, like in the past. An Ning replied that she was now accustomed to being called "Sister An." After A Tai departed, An Ning reflected on her past, recalling a conversation with Shi Yue after Big Brother's arrest.
She had expressed wanting to forget everything and leave, having felt abandoned. Shi Yue offered to leave with her, saying that two people with pasts could start over. Later that evening, Shi Yue brought groceries to Nan Qiao's apartment. Nan Qiao jokingly asked if he was at the wrong door again after getting drunk.
Shi Yue explained that an old friend had just returned from abroad and he was helping her for a few days, but promised to make up for their perfect date. Nan Qiao, feigning indifference, stated he didn't need to report his schedule to her, as it had nothing to do with her. Shi Yue noted her words sounded "sour."
Nan Qiao denied being jealous, asserting her trust in him and her desire for a stable and real relationship, not just romantic words. Shi Yue promised not to disappear again and offered to cook for her. The next day, An Ning and Shi Yue visited the newly renovated company. To A Tai’s shock and embarrassment, An Ning announced that the company, named Wings, belonged to Shi Yue.
Inside the office, An Ning brought up Shi Yue’s investment in Future Up, explaining that she also found the drone business promising, and showed him drone videos for Wings. She suggested that since Shi Yue wanted to engage in drone technology, he should do so with his own company. Shi Yue quickly deduced that An Ning's true aim was to seize Future Up's domestic market.
He tried to dissuade her, explaining the challenges of the drone industry and how Future Up had taken three years to achieve its current success. If she was looking for quick returns, this wasn't the project. An Ning, however, expressed a desire for "something more exciting" and instructed Shi Yue to remain at Future Up.
His role would be to develop and expand the business diligently, only for Wings to eventually "gobble it up in one bite," proving his investment foresight. She presented this scheme as her "big present" to him. Shi Yue attempted to persuade her to show some respect to the Nan family. An Ning merely smiled, asserting that the person conflicting with the Nan family and Future Up would be Shi Yue, not her.
Under the vibrant Shanghai night sky, Shi Yue's mood sank. He called Hao Jie to the new company and revealed An Ning's ruthless plan. Hao Jie asked if Shi Yue had confessed his feelings to Nan Qiao. Shi Yue lamented that he was always "almost" there, but now they were about to be "a world apart," feeling like everything had reverted to the beginning.
Hao Jie remarked on the cruelty of An Ning's plan, which would secure business but harm both Shi Yue and Nan Qiao. Shi Yue understood that An Ning wanted a loyal pawn. Hao Jie pointed out that Shi Yue had just escaped An Ning's influence only to be drawn back in. Shi Yue, feeling trapped, admitted that if he defied An Ning, she would target Nan Qiao. He now wished to protect Hao Jie from this mess.
Hao Jie, however, angrily insisted on staying by Shi Yue's side, refusing to believe An Ning would inevitably win. Shi Yue grimly stated that the world was more brutal than Hao Jie imagined. Hao Jie then offered a thought: Shi Yue could use his new identity at Wings to legitimately help Nan Qiao expand Future Up, making the final outcome uncertain. Shi Yue considered this suggestion.
On her way home, An Ning’s subordinate mentioned the significant stir Shi Yue and Nan Qiao were causing. An Ning dismissed it as mere play-acting, confident in her emotional hold over Shi Yue, recalling the familiar feeling upon seeing him again. Later, Shi Yue arranged a film crew for a drone promotional video, but was running late. The director grew impatient and was about to leave until Hao Jie and Xie Hao intervened, contacting Shi Yue. Shi Yue arrived shortly after, revealing he had secured the help of a prominent industry figure, Mr. Li.
