Light Beyond the Reed Episode 9 Recap
> Light Beyond the Reed Recap
Ye Sibei found out that Zhao Chuchu had resigned and felt deeply remorseful, despite Chuchu’s outward display of nonchalance. During a phone call, Zhao Chuchu clarified that she had long wanted to quit the "garbage company" because it was dangerous and rife with infighting. She seized the opportunity when the company pressured her to convince Sibei to settle the case, which she refused.
Asserting her decision to leave and find a new job since she was getting married soon, Chuchu stated she was ready to move on. Sibei repeatedly apologized, but Chuchu dismissed it, claiming she should be the one to apologize to Sibei for being naive. She urged Sibei to see the lawsuit through to the end, showing their adversaries their determination, before hanging up.
Concerned about Sibei's emotional state and knowing that Zhao Chuchu's resignation due to the case weighed heavily on her, Qin Nan offered to accompany her to the police station. There, Captain Zhang was upset that Sibei had not provided an important recording during her previous visit. Sibei explained that she initially wanted to resolve the matter privately without involving others, but the opponents had gone too far, even forcing Zhao Chuchu to quit.
Captain Zhang commended Sibei for her actions and advised her to continue collecting evidence, reminding her that threatening or bribing witnesses is a criminal offense. He encouraged her not to be afraid and to bring any future evidence to him immediately. Sibei worried her case was a minor issue for the busy police, but Captain Zhang dismissed her concern, emphasizing that the smooth progression of the case was what mattered.
As Sibei and Qin Nan left, Lin Feng remarked to Captain Zhang that it was not easy for the couple to endure such a situation. He then teasingly noted Captain Zhang was distracted by flowers, though Captain Zhang was already focused on accelerating the case for Sibei, wanting to give them an explanation soon. Separately, when the police came to question Zhao Shuhui, she remained uncooperative, feigning ignorance even when asked about her husband's closest friends.
Later, Nianwen was surprised to learn Zhao Chuchu had also resigned. Chuchu explained she couldn't betray Sibei by trying to persuade her to reconcile. Nianwen thought she should have waited to be fired for compensation, but Chuchu joked about his newfound understanding of legal strategy. Nianwen admitted to feeling useless, but Chuchu saw her resignation as a chance for a fresh start, especially since Nianwen had never liked her previous demanding job because of the constant socializing.
Sibei’s father called her, stating that her mother, Zhao Shuhui, had fainted and demanded she come home immediately, but he refused to take her to the hospital, which made Sibei suspicious. Qin Nan accompanied Sibei. Upon their arrival, Sibei heard her father arguing with Nianwen, who was determined to sell his wedding house to fund Sibei’s lawsuit, even if it meant delaying his marriage. He insisted on supporting Sibei to the end.
Their father was furious, accusing Nianwen of disregarding his mother and Zhao Chuchu. Sibei found her mother lying in bed, refusing to eat or drink, immediately suspecting Zhao Shuhui was feigning illness to manipulate her. Zhao Shuhui then brazenly demanded Sibei withdraw the lawsuit, threatening to cause endless trouble otherwise. Sibei also confronted her mother about Nianwen and Chuchu being forced to resign, but Zhao Shuhui dismissed their difficulties, suggesting their incompetence and reliance on "backdoor" connections were to blame.
Her mother tearfully scolded Sibei for being stubborn and selfish since childhood, always arguing with Nianwen and accusing them of favoritism. She bemoaned Sibei's choice to live alone in a big city, where they couldn't help her if trouble arose. She expressed her love for Sibei but questioned why Sibei believed she would harm her, emphasizing that women in their family, like her grandmother and aunt, traditionally married and had children without demanding more.
Sibei confronted her mother about the systemic unfairness she had faced, sacrificing her education for her uncle and caring for her grandmother while all family property went to him. Sibei suggested her mother’s acceptance of this was due to societal pressure, forcing her to accept such a life, and now her mother expected Sibei to follow suit. Sibei acknowledged her mother's love but highlighted its difference from her love for Nianwen, implying an element of jealousy.
Sibei asserted that her mother couldn't accept Sibei living a different life because it would invalidate her own life choices, and that sometimes her mother didn't truly understand what was best for her. Sibei tried to explain that times had changed, and that Nianwen, Zhao Chuchu, and Qin Nan all supported her. Her mother retorted, asking why she was still suffering if times had changed, why she, the victim, wasn't victorious, and why the ordeal was never-ending.
She admitted to favoring Nianwen because he was a boy. Eventually, her mother pleaded with Sibei to consider a settlement, fearing they could not endure the struggle any longer. Suddenly, Qin Nan rushed in, informing Sibei that Officer Lin had called to say someone was inquiring about the case at the police station, and reporters were likely headed to their house. Sibei, Qin Nan, and Nianwen quickly left to avoid the media, while Sibei's parents remained to manage the situation.
Nianwen promptly called the police to report the harassment. Meanwhile, his parents attempted to deter the reporters who had gathered outside their home, mistakenly confronting Sibei’s mother and insisting she was not Ye Sibei. As Sibei and Qin Nan drove away, Qin Nan comforted Sibei, telling her not to check her phone, assuring her that the harassments were attempts to intimidate her because she had made them afraid.
After seeing the constant harassing messages on her phone, Sibei decided to use this time to study for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, a decision Qin Nan fully supported. Following the commotion with the reporters, Zhao Shuhui called Sibei, accusing her of being "vile" and leaking information to the media and online. Sibei denied these actions, asserting that Zhao Shuhui’s own wrongdoings were being exposed, and she deserved the consequences.
Sibei also reminded Zhao Shuhui that someone had been splashing paint at her home and harassing her, hinting at Zhao Shuhui's potential involvement. Later that night, Sibei's father urged Zhao Shuhui to talk sense into Nianwen, expressing frustration over Sibei's stubbornness prolonging the conflict, which he felt a settlement could resolve. Nianwen fiercely disagreed, explaining that Sibei's refusal to concede was their only leverage.
He argued that accepting a monetary settlement would brand Sibei with a false accusation, ruining her life. His father asked if Nianwen thought Sibei should never endure any grievances, to which Nianwen replied that this was far beyond a "minor grievance," comparing it to a profound injustice where 'snow flew in June.' He challenged his father to endure such a wrong himself. Their father insisted he had endured much for his children, but now they faced severe financial hardship.
Nianwen again proposed selling the wedding house, which infuriated his father, who questioned if he had consulted Zhao Chuchu. Nianwen then drove Zhao Chuchu home. He confessed that he might have to sell their wedding house, apologizing for his inability to provide a stable life given his family's crisis, and expressing his reluctance for her to suffer with him. Chuchu interrupted, asking if he loved her. She reassured him that the house wasn't important; only he was.
She added that they were young and could earn money together. Touched by her maturity, Nianwen and Chuchu reaffirmed their mutual love. Ye Sibei, wearing a mask due to public scrutiny, later met with Lin Feng. She asked about her chances of winning the case, and Lin Feng explained that he could not give a definitive answer before the court's verdict, though such cases typically conclude within three months.
Sibei thanked him and Captain Zhang for their efforts, informing him that she was studying for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Lin Feng encouraged her to move forward, assuring her that the case was now in their hands, and she no longer needed to dwell on the past. Meanwhile, Nianwen informed Qin Nan that the procuratorate had officially filed charges in Sibei's case.
Separately, Lin Feng expressed to Captain Zhang his confusion and frustration as to why Sibei, as the victim, had to endure such shame and persecution, even needing to hide her identity. He questioned what Sibei had done wrong. Captain Zhang explained that reality is not like an exam with a single correct answer; sometimes, even knowing the right solution, one cannot act accordingly, and that is the true nature of reality.
Zhao Shuhui recalled Mr. Meng's advice to pay close attention to things at home, which led her to discover a USB drive containing astonishing contents. The day before the trial, Mr. Meng conveyed Fan Jiancheng's request to Zhao Shuhui to regularly polish Wenwen's trophies, as they tend to gather dust. That night, Sibei saw Qin Nan lying tired on the bed and felt deeply sorry for him, realizing he wouldn't be suffering if it weren't for her case.
When Qin Nan inquired about her worries, Sibei admitted she was scared about the upcoming trial. Qin Nan reassured her, reminding her of how far they had come and that the widespread online support for them meant Fan Jiancheng should be the one who was scared. Sibei, however, expressed a fear that if the public discovered she wasn't the perfect victim they envisioned, they might also condemn her. Qin Nan urged her not to overthink and encouraged her to eat.
Later, Zhao Shuhui's daughter, Wenwen, cried to her mother, saying she missed her father and that her classmates were calling him a "baddie." Zhao Shuhui hugged her daughter, trying to console her, insisting that her father was framed and innocent, and that the police would soon bring him home. She assured Wenwen that her father was a good person who had never done anything bad.
