Light Beyond the Reed Episode 16 Recap
> Light Beyond the Reed Recap
Nianwen watched Captain Zhang gazing at his sister's graduation photo, lost in thought. He explained that his sister, Ye Sibei, met Qin Nan after a blind date. Although Nianwen's father initially disapproved of Qin Nan's lower education, Ye Sibei was set on him, leading to their marriage. Captain Zhang then recalled a past conversation with Qin Nan, where he had remarked on the couple's deep affection after only a year of marriage.
He remembered Qin Nan stating he was from No. 7 High School when asked. Nianwen, eager for updates, asked Captain Zhang if there was new hope for his sister's case. Captain Zhang questioned Nianwen's persistence, noting that Ye Sibei herself had already given up. Visibly emotional, Nianwen confessed that he felt indirectly responsible for the incident and could not move past it. He elaborated that the event had devastated Ye Sibei, his mother, and Chuchu, impacting everything around him.
He felt that if Ye Sibei did not receive justice, he would never find peace. Captain Zhang then shared a new lead: the situation might not have unfolded as Ye Sibei remembered. When Nianwen thought Captain Zhang was suggesting his sister lied, Captain Zhang produced psychiatric medication. He explained that if Ye Sibei had been given such drugs while drinking, her memory might have been blurred or even lost entirely, making the events more understandable.
He emphasized this was still a theory requiring solid proof, citing that an ongoing investigation into illegal drug sales might link to Fan Jiancheng. Huang Guifen and her husband, listening in, exchanged glances of renewed hope. Captain Zhang then tasked Nianwen with encouraging Chuchu to come forward and admit she committed perjury during the first trial.
He described individuals at critical junctures in life, balancing between good and evil, and stressed that Nianwen's influence could tip Chuchu towards the path of truth. Chuchu, overwhelmed by guilt, had isolated herself in her room for over a month, refusing to eat. Her parents were deeply worried. Nianwen visited her, expressing concern. Chuchu hesitated to meet his eyes. Nianwen apologized for being so consumed by Ye Sibei's case that he had neglected Chuchu's own suffering from cyberbullying.
He now understood her predicament, assuring her he was not recording their conversation. Chuchu, feeling Nianwen's lack of trust, asked him not to press her further. Nianwen perceived that she was hiding something, which Chuchu did not deny. She recounted how, despite believing she had done nothing wrong, she was portrayed as a villain.
She shared how her professional attire and past relationships were scrutinized online, with some netizens even falsely accusing her of enabling Fan Jiancheng's actions against Ye Sibei. She had initially wanted to testify to see Fan Jiancheng imprisoned, but the relentless public backlash made her fear becoming a target, and the aggressive questioning by the opposing lawyer in court had utterly broken her.
Nianwen acknowledged that he might not fully grasp her ordeal but reassured her that he knew she was inherently a good person. Chuchu admitted she had wanted to lie in court to prove Ye Sibei's innocence but was terrified of the consequences. She recounted how the online community had condemned her for a minor oversight like leaving Ye Sibei in a car, and she couldn't imagine the outrage if they knew the full truth.
She confessed that she preferred to be seen as a "bad person" if it meant avoiding more suffering. Nianwen questioned if this stance caused her any conscience pangs, to which she admitted it did. She explained that she had longed for Nianwen to tell her he believed in her, as that would have given her the courage to speak out. However, the constant pressure from those around her and the internet made her feel that stepping forward would ruin her.
The only time she felt she had the courage was when Ye Sibei told her she wasn't a bad person. Nianwen countered that she should accept responsibility for her actions. Chuchu, exasperated, pleaded with Nianwen to treat her as a human, highlighting that people don't always do what they "should." She then turned the question on him, asking why he hadn't let Ye Sibei report the incident earlier, implying that he, too, acted out of human considerations.
Meanwhile, Captain Zhang visited Mr. Yang to learn more about Ye Sibei and Qin Nan's high school years. At the train station, Qin Nan was seeing Ye Sibei off. He seemed unusually hesitant and a bit nagging, but Ye Sibei, resolute in her journey to Guangzhou, didn't dwell on his behavior. Qin Nan told her he had wished for her lifelong safety, happiness, and fulfillment, brushing off her suggestion to wish for wealth as "worldly possessions."
He urged her not to look back or miss him, and she promised not to. Mr. Yang explained to Captain Zhang that he had wanted to tell Ye Sibei about Qin Nan's past support since their wedding day, but Qin Nan had forbidden it, fearing it would make Ye Sibei feel indebted in their marriage. Mr. Yang described Qin Nan as a dark-skinned, quiet boy who often associated with troublemakers, skipped classes, and played games.
Then, one day, Qin Nan came to him, asking if there was hope for him to study. Mr. Yang encouraged him, offering tutoring. Qin Nan revealed that his change of heart was inspired by a diligent and positive girl in the next class, Ye Sibei, who worked hard and helped her family. Mr. Yang clarified that Qin Nan's feelings for Ye Sibei were not romantic love, as they were young and hadn't interacted much.
Instead, Qin Nan admired her ability to do things he couldn't and saw her as a beacon of hope, believing her success would validate the idea that effort could change the world. Mr. Yang also recounted a summer holiday night when Qin Nan called him, weeping uncontrollably, revealing that both his father and brother had passed away. A flashback showed Qin Nan's mother giving him 30,000 yuan, instructing him to care for his grandfather before she left and remarried.
After this double tragedy, Qin Nan became withdrawn. He later approached Mr. Yang with a withdrawal form, giving him all his remaining funds to covertly donate to Ye Sibei for her studies, seeing her as a projection of his own hopes. Captain Zhang asked if this meant Qin Nan loved Ye Sibei, to which Mr. Yang replied that it was more akin to a "faith."
On the train, Ye Sibei received a phone call from Qin Nan, who instructed her not to get off at Yunwen Station and to continue to Guangzhou, assuring her that his subordinate, Lin Feng, was following her. He told her he had left a letter in her bag, which she was to burn after reading, and urged her not to get involved in his plans. Ye Sibei, sensing his intentions, pleaded with him not to do anything foolish.
Reading Qin Nan's letter, Ye Sibei learned of his difficult decision, his internal struggle over whether to kill Fan Jiancheng for her, and his desire for her to live a carefree life, believing her life was far more meaningful than his own. Qin Nan confessed to lying about not knowing her from the past; they were actually high school classmates at No. 2 High School twelve years ago.
He recalled her vibrant speech about never giving up on becoming a better self and their shared moment under an umbrella. He wrote that his world was once bleak and cold, and it was her smile in the rain and her radiance that brought him warmth and light. He detailed his struggles after leaving school, working odd jobs, and realizing society was far tougher than he imagined.
He recounted how he had called Mr. Yang to confirm Ye Sibei's successful college entrance exam results, finding solace in her continued success. He described giving in to the world's rules and how, even when lost in the daily grind of survival, the thought of her perseverance kept him going. He detailed how Mr. Gao, an auto repair shop owner, eventually took him on as an apprentice, acknowledging his quick learning.
Ye Sibei had previously received strange, silent calls, and another such call occurred. Qin Nan's letter continued, expressing that he had thought he would carry his hopes for her throughout his life. However, upon meeting her again years later, he was saddened to see her missing the bright smile, radiance, and spark in her eyes she once had.
He could accept his own submission to fate but not her change, which made him feel like he was falling back into a cold world. He wrote of his attempts to reconnect with her, to find her radiant self again, as that was how he felt he could breathe.
The letter ended with Qin Nan expressing regret and pain, acknowledging Ye Sibei's weakness and concessions after their marriage felt like a thorn in his heart, shattering his youthful hopes for her. He felt his glimmer of light dimming until it extinguished completely. Ye Sibei wept uncontrollably as she finished reading the letter.
