Only Side by Side with You Episode 32 Recap
> Only Side by Side with You Recap
Nan Qiao convened a meeting with the core employees of Future Up, announcing a significant shift in the company's direction. Influenced by the tragic incident involving Xiao Tao's parents and her recent period of introspection, Nan Qiao decided to focus on developing professional search and rescue drones for forest fire control, security scans, law enforcement, and other dangerous, life-threatening tasks. A colleague acknowledged the idea's creativity but pointed out the difficulty, explaining that the company's current software couldn't support it.
Xiao Kui added that this new professional-grade drone research was on an entirely different level from the consumer-grade drones they had developed over the past three years. Nan Qiao reminded them that she had previously mentioned returning to their initial intention of creating an unmanned passenger aircraft, and experimenting with professional search and rescue crafts was a step towards that ultimate goal. Wen Di cautioned Nan Qiao that such a change in product strategy required the agreement of other shareholders.
Just then, Chang Jianxiong, who had been listening from outside, entered and enthusiastically declared his full support for the search and rescue drone idea, recognizing it as part of Nan Qiao's original dream. Nan Qiao thanked her "major shareholder" and explained that Xiao Tao's situation reminded her how much they had neglected application development while pursuing technological breakthroughs. She challenged her team to embrace this difficult but ultimately rewarding endeavor, to which they responded with enthusiastic commitment.
Wen Di then proposed that she handle marketing while Nan Qiao focused on research and development. The remaining issue of funding was swiftly addressed by Chang Jianxiong, who offered to take care of it. Meanwhile, An Ning watched a video of Nan Qiao and Shi Yue in an interview, where Nan Qiao acknowledged receiving immense inspiration from Shi Yue for her flying dream.
An Ning’s subordinate reported that while Wings' new product launch had failed to gain significant traction, news of Nan Qiao and Shi Yue playing with children and drones had ironically become a top trending topic, thanks to the extensive media promotion paid for by Wings. An Ning was furious, realizing her own public relations efforts had backfired, inadvertently boosting her rival. She bitterly resolved to see who would have the last laugh.
Reflecting on the interview, An Ning wondered if Shi Yue had ever looked at her with such tenderness, and lamented that before Nan Qiao appeared, he used to treat her that way. Her subordinate attempted to console her, saying Shi Yue wasn't looking at Nan Qiao with his eyes, but with his heart. Later, An Ning’s subordinate informed her that Tai Ge was waiting outside, requesting to see her. An Ning initially refused but then relented.
Tai Ge entered, explaining that he had been in hiding to avoid implicating An Ning in Nan Qiao’s recent accident, as Chang Jianxiong was investigating the matter. An Ning brought up her decision to give Wings to Shi Yue, expecting him to be upset. Tai Ge claimed to understand her decisions, even if they changed suddenly, and offered to help her if Shi Yue was causing her unhappiness, boasting of his expertise in handling such situations.
An Ning, however, dismissed his offer, stating he couldn't help with matters between her and Shi Yue. She told him to stop coming to her house for private matters, asserting that Wings belonged to Shi Yue, and Shi Yue belonged to her. Tai Ge, feeling unappreciated for his years of loyalty, lashed out, calling Shi Yue a "fickle-minded dog." Enraged, An Ning ordered him to leave.
After Tai Ge's departure, An Ning, recalling Shi Yue’s routine, decided to retrieve his three dogs from Ouyang Qi's pet hospital, where he typically took them on Wednesdays. She mused that since she and Shi Yue were breaking up with Nan Qiao, they should make it a more complete separation by severing this indirect connection. Despite her subordinate's concern about the difficulty of taking the dogs from Nan Qiao's friend, An Ning was determined.
An Ning then arrived at Shi Yue's apartment with his dogs, expecting to be invited in after her "personal delivery." Shi Yue confronted her directly, asking if she was there to return the dogs or to sleep with him. An Ning provocatively replied that she was fine with both. Shi Yue warned her not to target his dogs or "his people," insisting that if she needed anything, she should come to him directly, and he would satisfy her.
An Ning brazenly declared she wanted him now. Shi Yue, in a fit of anger, pulled off his jacket and pushed her onto the sofa, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to kiss her. An Ning lamented, "We were not like this before." Shi Yue angrily retorted that his past self was "stupid." An Ning then asked if he still blamed her for her sudden marriage in the US.
Shi Yue denied it, stating he owed her his life and had no right to blame her. An Ning then remarked that the name of his drone, "Bandit," suited him. Shi Yue retorted that the name suited her just as well. An Ning, taking offense, grabbed the "Bandit" drone, implying she would live up to the name, and left in a huff. On her way home, Nan Qiao encountered An Ning outside her residential community gates.
An Ning greeted her cordially, claiming she had just finished studying the "Bandit" drone with Shi Yue. She then made a pointed remark about Nan Qiao returning home late and alone, emphasizing the hardships of a woman starting a business. She further insinuated that she and Shi Yue had lived a life of leisure abroad, which fostered their "tacit understanding," and challenged Nan Qiao not to let Wings easily catch up to Future Up.
Nan Qiao responded by expressing her anticipation of a fair market competition with Wings. She spoke about innovation creating "new blue seas" in the market and added that while Future Up was confident in competition, they were not adept at "snatching," as "a fruit that was forcefully taken might be bitter." She then sarcastically thanked An Ning for admiring the "Bandit" drone, suggesting it might be difficult for "Chairman An" to control.
Despite her composed exterior, Nan Qiao was deeply unsettled by An Ning’s words. Upon returning home, she called Chang Jianxiong for a late-night snack. As they ate, Nan Qiao recounted her encounter with An Ning, only to discover that Chang Jianxiong had already known about An Ning and Shi Yue's past. She expressed frustration that he had withheld the information. Chang Jianxiong explained he only wanted to spare her pain.
Nan Qiao, however, insisted that as An Ning was now Future Up's rival, she needed to understand her opponent. Chang Jianxiong then divulged that An Ning and Shi Yue had co-founded a business in the US. After Shi Yue’s return, An Ning married a wealthy American businessman, which led to her substantial riches and vast network of connections. He confirmed An Ning was indeed Shi Yue's boss.
Nan Qiao dismissed the idea of being hurt, reiterating her focus on the business rivalry. Chang Jianxiong cautiously added that there were rumors of a past romantic relationship between An Ning and Shi Yue, though he was unsure of their veracity. He warned Nan Qiao that An Ning was a formidable opponent and advised her to be highly vigilant, offering to handle An Ning in business contexts with Wen Di, and urging Nan Qiao to avoid private interactions with her.
Nan Qiao reiterated that she hadn't taken anything to heart but would indeed remain prepared for future business engagements. A smear campaign targeting Nan Qiao quickly spread online. Wen Di, while coordinating a response, showed Nan Qiao the online discussions, which overwhelmingly accused her of using the orphans for company promotion, labeling her as morally bankrupt and manipulative due to Future Up's financial struggles. Recalling Chang Jianxiong’s warning, Nan Qiao surmised An Ning was behind the campaign.
Wen Di asked if it was Shi Yue. Nan Qiao, however, strongly believed Shi Yue would not stoop to such tactics, especially involving orphans, because he was a man with "limits." Wen Di suggested An Ning was likely using the business rivalry as an excuse to eliminate a love rival. Nan Qiao asked for time to investigate thoroughly. Simultaneously, at Nan Qiao’s home, her nephew excitedly showed the family the online comments.
Nan Qiao's father became enraged, fiercely defending his daughter against the "nonsense" and "groundless accusations," asserting that Nan Qiao would never engage in such "lowly acts." He strictly forbade his family from engaging with the online discussions, believing that "an innocent person need not say more." Meanwhile, Shi Yue stormed into An Ning's office, interrupting her meeting, to confront her. He directly asked if she had published the negative news.
An Ning, without denying it, asked if he was upset that people were speaking ill of Nan Qiao. Shi Yue retorted that the two children were innocent, reminding An Ning that as an orphan herself, she should know better, and questioned if she was still the "old An Ning." An Ning coldly replied that she would revert to her old self if he reverted to his. Shi Yue left silently, which deeply angered An Ning.
Later, at the Clear Dream Bar, Shi Yue confided in Hao Jie that An Ning had not denied orchestrating the smear campaign. He lamented that the current An Ning was unrecognizable; the person he knew would never have exploited children from an orphanage, a cause she used to champion. Seeing her happily conversing with an influential online personality confirmed his perception of her drastic change.
Hao Jie expressed regret for suggesting Shi Yue stay with An Ning to protect Nan Qiao, admitting it was a mistake. Shi Yue replied with grim determination that if An Ning refused to let Nan Qiao go, he would likely have to continue until they all perished together.
