Only Side by Side with You Episode 4 Recap
> Only Side by Side with You Recap
Nan Qiao led her team in a rooftop test flight for their new product. She meticulously instructed everyone to record data and camera footage, ensuring precision. The drone successfully reached its set altitude and performed all programmed maneuvers, eliciting cheers from her colleagues. However, during its return, the drone failed to control its speed and crashed, ruining their efforts. Distraught, Nan Qiao repeatedly watched the video of the drone's failed landing, hoping to pinpoint the cause.
Her colleagues suggested trying again, but Nan Qiao, knowing the drone's limitations, stated there was no need as she hadn't accurately calculated the data, and time was too short. The new product clearly couldn't launch early, and with the company already in debt and Zhou Ran withdrawing investment, Future Up faced a grave crisis, on the brink of bankruptcy. Wen Di found Nan Qiao replaying the crash video and urged her to stop blaming herself.
She explained that rushing a new product was inherently a gamble, and losing was normal. Wen Di informed Nan Qiao that without new funding and with Zhou Ran withdrawing, the company couldn't maintain operations. She added that many headhunting firms had already offered positions to Future Up's employees, ensuring they would find good new jobs even if the company closed.
Nan Qiao then asked if Wen Di would leave, to which Wen Di replied that she would if Nan Qiao chose to give up. Chang Jianxiong arrived at the Chang's Group building, but his access card had been invalidated, and security denied him entry. He managed to bypass security via an emergency exit, only to be stopped by the front desk. They informed him he lacked the necessary authority as a mere driver to see the Chairman without an appointment.
His father, the Chairman, then emerged from a meeting, completely ignored Chang Jianxiong, and had someone block him as he walked past. Infuriated that his father had truly limited him to a driver's authority, Chang Jianxiong repeatedly called him. When his father finally answered, Chang Jianxiong declared that "now is different from before" and he had an urgent matter.
His father mockingly retorted, recalling how Chang Jianxiong heroically proclaimed he would start from the lowest level and never ask for help or money, questioning why he was calling now. His father added that since Chang Jianxiong wanted to be a "first-generation rich man," he wouldn't give him the chance to be a "second-generation rich kid," having blacklisted any assistance to "hasten his growth." Chang Jianxiong left the company in a fit of anger.
Soon after, Chang's father called Nan Qiao's father, confirming that he knew Chang Jianxiong's humbling appeal was solely for Nan Qiao. Nan Qiao's father, pleased that his old friend had stood firm, encouraged him to continue his stance. Future Up's funds could sustain the company for only two more days. Shi Yue and Xie Hao discussed whether Nan Qiao would seek Shi Yue's help.
Shi Yue asserted that if Nan Qiao were to abandon her career due to pride, he would have gravely misjudged her. Meanwhile, at Future Up, Wen Di had begun packing, suggesting that since Nan Qiao seemed to have given up, it was time for everyone to seek new jobs for a more stable life. Nan Qiao embraced the first drone model, reminiscing about its creators who persevered for ten years through repeated failures, ultimately achieving success.
Wen Di seized the opportunity to encourage Nan Qiao, reminding her of their difficult beginnings three years prior and emphasizing that if Nan Qiao didn't give up, none of the company's employees would leave. Deeply moved, Nan Qiao resolved to secure funding, stating she would "kneel" if necessary. Unbeknownst to Nan Qiao, Shi Yue had already set his plan in motion, tasking Xie Hao with deliberately keeping Chang Jianxiong occupied.
Nan Qiao went to Lucid Dream to find Shi Yue, but he playfully pulled her onto the dance floor, ignoring her urgent plea to talk. He deliberately cornered her against a wall, then informed her that the conditions he had previously offered were only valid for twenty-four hours and if that time was wasted, they would have to renegotiate. Nan Qiao agreed.
In a private office, Nan Qiao stated her need for 50 million yuan but firmly refused his investment, clarifying that she would never dilute her original team's shares. Shi Yue, slightly amused, inquired about his interest, to which Nan Qiao proposed a bank interest rate plus an additional 10%. Shi Yue countered that his other investments yielded returns two to three times higher than that.
Nan Qiao argued that lending to her carried no risk, but Shi Yue pointed out her lack of assets like a car, house, or any fixed company assets for collateral. Shi Yue then suggested she mortgage herself. Nan Qiao, after a moment, agreed, expressing confidence in herself and her ability to repay. Shi Yue then set a condition: if she was unable to pay, he would buy her company's stock rights based on the market price.
Nan Qiao accepted, and Shi Yue promptly produced a pre-written contract. As they finalized the agreement, Shi Yue added one more condition for the 50 million yuan loan: Nan Qiao must grant him one date. Desperate for the funds, Nan Qiao reluctantly consented. That night, Shi Yue secretly entered Future Up, utilizing identity information he had obtained from Nan Qiao. He meticulously reviewed the company's internal documents and found a German theoretical paper on indoor levitation and beyond-visual-range flight.
This discovery triggered a flood of memories from his past, specifically a time when he was known as Shi Junqing. He recalled being interrogated at military school for leaving without permission and for the disappearance of top-secret documents. He was pressed to reveal if anyone else knew he had read them, with the implication that full responsibility for the lost files would fall on him if he couldn't.
It was the loss of these theoretical documents that had led to his expulsion from the school, causing him to withdraw from the "Blue Sky Edge" special forces selection program. He later mused that finding this theoretical document in Nan Qiao's company brought him closer to the truth, and this desire to uncover the truth was his motivation for actively investing in her company. Chang Jianxiong invited Nan Qiao for rock climbing, where she informed him about borrowing money.
Chang Jianxiong grew suspicious, questioning the source and background of the lender. Nan Qiao reassured him that Wen Di had investigated and confirmed the lender was Shi Yue, the boss of Lucid Dream, and the funds were legitimate. Chang Jianxiong found it too coincidental for 50 million yuan to be lent so easily.
He listed a series of suspiciously interconnected events: the Lucid Dream social event, two major investment firms suddenly withdrawing, a bar owner appearing out of nowhere, and a loan arriving at just the right time. He firmly believed "all these coincidences are connected" and vowed to investigate. Just then, a security guard called Chang Jianxiong away to deal with an issue concerning his car.
This was a deliberate ploy orchestrated by Shi Yue, as Xie Hao had intentionally caused a minor collision with Chang Jianxiong's vehicle. Xie Hao then used the intricacies of insurance procedures to effectively trap Chang Jianxiong at the parking lot. Meanwhile, Shi Yue arrived at the rock climbing venue. He playfully admitted to Nan Qiao that he had "stalked" her, though he clarified it was simply a lender making a visit.
They then engaged in a speed climbing competition, which Nan Qiao won. By the time Chang Jianxiong returned, Shi Yue had already departed. Shi Yue later met with Xie Hao, openly confessing his enjoyment in watching Chang Jianxiong being manipulated and frustrated without an outlet for his anger. Driven by his suspicions, Chang Jianxiong went to Lucid Dream, asking for Xie Hao, whom he mistakenly believed was the boss.
A security guard corrected him, stating that "Mr. Shi" was the actual boss. Surprised by this revelation, Chang Jianxiong later returned. He surreptitiously obtained a cleaning staff's access card and infiltrated Shi Yue's office. Picking up a folding knife from the desk, he was transported back to his military training days, when Shi Yue was known as Shi Junqing.
During their time in the "Blue Sky Edge" special forces selection, both were exceptional, seeing each other as rivals yet holding mutual respect. Shi Junqing was cunning, often employing "tricks" during training, such as taking shortcuts during a march or using feints in team battles. In contrast, Chang Jianxiong was a strict adherent to rules, believing in the "10,000 hour rule" and no shortcuts. Despite their stark differences, they shared a strong bond.
The folding knife in Chang Jianxiong's hand was a gift he had given to Shi Junqing back then. During a past training session, their comrades had teased Shi Junqing, playfully acknowledging his cleverness and his habit of calling Chang Jianxiong a "stinky rascal." They also speculated about a "virgin shirt" he treasured, suggesting it was a gift from a girl he liked, possibly the "Commanding Officer's daughter."
Shi Junqing had then announced he was embarking on a "top secret mission" to translate a German professor's thesis on cutting-edge drone research, humorously leaving Chang Jianxiong with the "dreadfully flat and boring headquarters reporting."
