Light Beyond the Reed Episode 8 Recap
> Light Beyond the Reed Recap
Zhao Shuhui remained convinced that her husband, Fan Jiancheng, had been seduced. She urged her brother to do everything in his power to put an end to the matter. Mr. Meng, a highly reputable lawyer hired by Zhao Shuhui's brother, advised Zhao Shuhui to remain calm and avoid any actions during Fan Jiancheng’s extended detention, promising to do his best to secure bail.
Despite this, Zhao Shuhui implored her brother to get Fan Jiancheng out, as their daughter, Wenwen, was distraught. Zhao Shuhui's brother was aware that if Ye Sibei did not withdraw the lawsuit, Fan Jiancheng faced severe punishment. Ye Nianwen, Ye Sibei’s brother and a trainee lawyer, confronted his mentor, Mr. Meng, questioning why he would defend Fan Jiancheng, a rapist who ruined his sister’s life, for money.
Mr. Meng explained his obligation as a professional attorney to represent his client, Zhao Ming (Fan Jiancheng’s brother-in-law and the boss of Fuqiang Real Estate), and to uncover the truth. Unconvinced, Ye Nianwen accused Mr. Meng of prioritizing money over conscience, labeling Fan Jiancheng a "beast." He expressed dismay that his mentor, who had helped so many victims, was now helping a criminal.
Mr. Meng suggested that if he didn't take the case, someone else would, and emphasized the need for a lawyer to remain objective. Ye Nianwen angrily resigned from the law firm, declaring he would become his sister’s legal representative and vowing to see Mr. Meng in court. Zhao Shuhui sought out Ye Sibei, intending to apologize. She shared her personal struggles, revealing she underwent IVF at 28 to have Wenwen, who is her entire world.
Zhao Shuhui tearfully explained that Fan Jiancheng’s imprisonment would ruin Wenwen’s future, as she would be labeled a "rapist's daughter" and face social humiliation, even affecting her future political background checks. She offered Ye Sibei conditions for dropping the lawsuit. Ye Sibei questioned if this was Zhao Shuhui's first time cleaning up Fan Jiancheng's mess, which Zhao Shuhui denied. Ye Sibei expressed frustration that a man's crime had turned into a conflict between two women.
Zhao Shuhui pleaded that she was acting as a mother, but Ye Sibei countered that she too was a human being. Ye Sibei lamented having to endure such suffering for the happiness of Fan Jiancheng's family. Zhao Shuhui insisted they had "paid the price," but Ye Sibei stated her conditions for dropping the lawsuit were impossible for them to meet, and that if the criminal were to be let off easily, he would never repent.
Zhao Shuhui argued that Wenwen was innocent and asked why Ye Sibei had called the police. Ye Sibei retorted that this question should be posed to Fan Jiancheng. Zhao Shuhui knelt, begging Ye Sibei to spare her family and Wenwen, reiterating that they had already "paid the price." Ye Sibei then asked if Zhao Shuhui, as Wenwen's mother, would advise her own daughter to forgive her attacker.
When Zhao Shuhui could not answer, Ye Sibei asserted that she would not, and therefore, could not forgive Fan Jiancheng. Meanwhile, Qin Nan was having dinner with his childhood friends. His friend Dachun mentioned how their grandfather had instructed them to support each other like true brothers. Another friend, Gui, echoed this sentiment, assuring Qin Nan that they would stand by him and Ye Sibei if they faced any difficulties.
Qin Nan later spoke with Ye Sibei, who, despite her past suffering, felt that from that moment on, she was no longer bitter, and her future days would be sweet. The public scrutiny of Ye Sibei's case escalated, resulting in vandals defacing her home with derogatory messages and paint. Qin Nan found the group responsible at night but, realizing they were numerous, decided to take Ye Sibei's advice and involve the police.
An officer, Lin Feng, assured Ye Sibei that they would intervene, especially as the harassment constituted interference with the judicial process. He advised her to report any further incidents or contact him directly. Despite their efforts, the harassers used virtual numbers for threatening messages, making them difficult to trace. Qin Nan's car repair shop also faced unwarranted inspections from market regulators and firefighters, though no issues were found, indicating an organized campaign of harassment.
Concerned for Ye Sibei's well-being, Qin Nan suggested they move to a neighboring town, but Ye Sibei, worried about financial implications, preferred to stay, citing familiarity with their current home. Police officers from the Guantian Precinct Detective Unit visited Zhao Shuhui to inquire about the harassment Ye Sibei and her family were experiencing. Zhao Shuhui feigned ignorance, claiming she knew nothing about her husband’s friends or his company dealings, as she was a stay-at-home mother.
The police warned her that if the threats against Ye Sibei continued, more people, not just Fan Jiancheng, would face arrest. Their daughter, Wenwen, emerged, distraught and protective of her mother, believing the police were there to take her away. Zhao Shuhui comforted her, promising she wouldn't be taken anywhere. Later, Ye Sibei received more harassing messages on her phone. Unable to sleep, she decided to study for the CPA exam, aiming to pass next year.
She told Qin Nan that once she obtained her certification, they could move to the provincial city and open a new shop together. Qin Nan affirmed his support, reassuring her he would be there for her. At Fuqiang Real Estate, Zhao Ming, the company's boss and Fan Jiancheng's brother-in-law, summoned Zhao Chuchu, Ye Nianwen's girlfriend, to his office.
He praised her work ethic and the company's benefits, then explained that the scandal surrounding Fan Jiancheng was severely impacting the company's reputation and jeopardizing major business deals and bonuses. Tao Jie, a colleague, suggested a promotion to Sales Supervisor for Zhao Chuchu if she could resolve the "crisis."
It became clear that Zhao Ming wanted Zhao Chuchu to persuade Ye Sibei to drop the charges in exchange for compensation, leveraging Zhao Chuchu's relationship with Ye Sibei and her career ambitions. Zhao Chuchu, however, refused, stating that neither she nor Ye Nianwen would try to persuade Ye Sibei. When Tao Jie questioned her loyalty to the company, Zhao Chuchu expressed her unwillingness to continue working there.
Despite Tao Jie's attempts to dissuade her, citing the difficulty of finding new jobs and Zhao Chuchu's financial commitments (wedding and loans with Ye Nianwen), Zhao Chuchu publicly rebuked Tao Jie for being a woman who helped villains and called the company "trash." She then resigned and left, gathering her belongings, unconcerned by Tao Jie’s warning that she wouldn't be welcomed back.
