Only Side by Side with You Episode 31 Recap
> Only Side by Side with You Recap
Nan Qiao approached Xiao Si, demanding the return of her drone, but the boy pushed his younger sister, Xiao Tao, and fled. Their escape was short-lived, however, as Shi Yue intercepted them. It became clear that Shi Yue knew both children and had a good relationship with them. Shi Yue gently but firmly admonished Xiao Si, explaining that even if he stole the drone for Xiao Tao, it was still wrong.
He encouraged Xiao Si to bravely admit his mistake to Nan Qiao, emphasizing that a man must take responsibility for his actions. Despite Shi Yue's words, Xiao Si, pushing his sister to hide from Nan Qiao, still refused to return the drone. Nan Qiao then spoke privately with Xiao Tao, who revealed that the other children disliked her and had even forgotten her at the orphanage, causing her to miss the previous day's club open house event.
This was why Xiao Si had stolen the drone, hoping to put on a private show for her. Heartbroken by Xiao Tao's story, Nan Qiao offered to take her outside to see the world. As they prepared to leave, Shi Yue again appeared. Nan Qiao asked him to drive them, and Xiao Si, worried Nan Qiao might bully Xiao Tao, also hopped into the car.
Shi Yue drove them to a park, where he placed virtual reality goggles on Xiao Tao, allowing her to experience the sensation of flying. Xiao Tao was ecstatic, feeling like a bird, as if she were dreaming. Nan Qiao then handed the drone's control wristband to Xiao Si, instructing him to fly the drone for Xiao Tao.
As the children played, Shi Yue and Nan Qiao discussed the children's circumstances, and both found themselves recalling a moment from the past when they lay on the grass together, testing a drone. Unbeknownst to them, a lurking reporter secretly photographed them playing with the children. On the drive back, Xiao Si finally apologized to Nan Qiao for stealing the drone. Nan Qiao accepted his apology, telling him she believed Xiao Tao was fortunate to have such a good friend.
Xiao Si then shared Xiao Tao's tragic past, explaining that her parents had died in an avalanche while mountaineering. She was sent to the welfare home and subsequently developed a major illness that left her unable to stand. He lamented that if a drone like Nan Qiao's had existed then, her parents could have flown wherever they wanted. This revelation further solidified Nan Qiao's dreams and convictions. Later, Chang Jianxiong's father visited Nan Qiao's father at his home.
Chang's father urged Nan Qiao's father to act as a pillar of support and create more opportunities for Chang Jianxiong and Nan Qiao to connect. However, Nan Qiao's father maintained that such matters should be left for the children to decide themselves. Chang's father expressed disbelief, claiming Nan Qiao had "brainwashed" his old friend over a single meal.
He then provocatively asked if Nan Qiao's father had found a new son-in-law, showing him a video of Nan Qiao and Shi Yue on a talk show. Nan Qiao's father, unaware of the interview and Shi Yue's existence until then, was taken aback. Chang's father, confident in his experience, asserted that Nan Qiao clearly harbored deep feelings for Shi Yue, a relationship "better than lovers."
Alarmed, Nan Qiao's father immediately asked Chang's father to call Chang Jianxiong and inquire about his daughter's relationship with Shi Yue. Xiao Tao sent Nan Qiao a letter, in which she wrote about how flying the drone made her feel closer to her parents in heaven. Nan Qiao was deeply moved and saddened by the letter. Feeling she couldn't go home or to the office, she asked Shi Yue to take her to Lucid Dream, his bar.
As they arrived, they both reminisced about their past, feeling a sense of melancholy. Shi Yue poured Nan Qiao a drink, recalling their first meeting when her clothes weren't flashy but left a profound impression on him. Nan Qiao affirmed that she was doing well now, fully devoted to her work, and hoped to find someone she genuinely liked. Shi Yue lightheartedly warned her not to get drunk again.
Nan Qiao laughed, remembering her first time getting drunk was at Lucid Dream. She then left a hundred yuan on the table, stating it was a treat for her business rival, and quietly departed. Shi Yue did not stop her; instead, he was left with painful memories of their breakup, recalling their final, harsh confrontation as well as their pointed remarks during the recent television interview.
Meanwhile, Chang's father, as requested by Nan Qiao's father, called his son, chiding him for not being anxious about Nan Qiao potentially being "taken away" and reminding him to bring gifts when visiting. Chang Jianxiong, already at Nan Qiao's father's doorstep with a pile of gifts, entered the house. Chang's father seized the opportunity to praise Chang Jianxiong, boasting that he and Nan Qiao had grown up inseparable, eating and even sleeping together.
Nan Qiao's father echoed this, confirming they were "like one piece" as children. The conversation then circled back to Nan Qiao's relationship with Shi Yue. Chang Jianxiong, to deflect, claimed they were bitter enemies who couldn't stand the sight or even the mention of each other's names. Nan Qiao's father immediately became agitated, concerned about Shi Yue being a threat.
Chang Jianxiong, however, clarified they were merely business rivals, reassuring Nan Qiao's father that he would protect Nan Qiao from any threat, even an alien. Nan Qiao's father expressed confidence that Chang Jianxiong could "tame" Nan Qiao. Chang Jianxiong attempted to reveal the true nature of his relationship with Nan Qiao, but his father's intense gaze prevented him, so he excused himself to the restroom.
Nan Qiao's father confessed his worry for Nan Qiao, who had recently suffered much, hoping she would find a "safe landing." As Chang Jianxiong and his father were leaving, Nan Qiao returned home. Chang's father subtly praised Nan Qiao's drone, making Nan Qiao's father uneasy. Her father then confronted Nan Qiao about her TV interview, stating that while children try to hide their feelings, to parents, they are like "white paper with huge black words," easily seen through.
Nan Qiao admitted her company had hit a bottleneck but asserted that she had now found her initial direction, making all problems surmountable. Her father insisted that machines could never replace humans, expressing different expectations for his children: his son, Nan Si, was his pride for his patriotic sacrifice, while Nan Qiao only needed to be happy. He passionately argued that if drones could replace pilots, Nan Si's "glorious 0.
3-second decision" would become meaningless, turning his lifelong pride into something pathetic. Nan Qiao fiercely countered that if drone search and rescue had existed, her brother might not have died. She declared that if Nan Si's sacrifice was merely an "honor," it was selfish, and her current goal was to use drones to reduce danger for pilots, which she believed was the true value of her brother's sacrifice, and that Nan Si, if alive, would undoubtedly support her. Deeply saddened, Nan Qiao's father refused to continue the discussion.
