Northwards Episode 13 Recap
> Northwards Recap
Xia Fenghua and Ma Siyi were walking together when they unexpectedly saw Luo Zhimei return with her luggage. Zhou Yanlin was overjoyed, believing Luo Zhimei would finally settle down at home. However, Luo Zhimei revealed that she was only staying for a few days before returning to Beijing to work as a producer for a friend, Aililin, whose film company needed one.
Zhou Yanlin expressed his dissatisfaction, questioning her ability to handle such a demanding role and the financial risks involved. Luo Zhimei, however, insisted she could do it and wished to remain in the industry. Zhou Haikuo also found it puzzling why his mother always desired to leave.
His grandfather, Zhou Yanlin's father, Zhou Yipu, explained that everyone has the right to pursue their dreams, just as Haikuo himself dreamed of going to Beijing or Shenzhen, and that Luo Zhimei had sacrificed a lot for her husband and son. Haikuo then recalled his mother confiding in Granny Ma about feeling suffocated in their home.
Granny Ma, confirming this, shared that she too often felt stifled and had once encouraged Luo Zhimei to follow her aspirations, but Luo Zhimei worried about her family and son. Later, Zhou Yanlin confronted Luo Zhimei, accusing her of being selfish for constantly being away from home, her husband, and their child.
Luo Zhimei retorted, reminding him of his broken promise to return to Beijing with her, and her own need for a stage as an actress, unlike him, who was thriving there. Feeling their desires for life were too different and their coexistence was a burden, Zhou Yanlin, overwhelmed, proposed divorce, which Zhou Haikuo overheard. Meanwhile, Granny Ma spoke with Ma Siyi about bringing her half-brother to live on Flower Street.
Ma Siyi was upset, pointing out that the boy shared no blood relation with Granny Ma and had his own father. Granny Ma, with a compassionate heart, explained that the boy's stepfather, Ge, had been imprisoned for organizing illegal gambling, and Siyi's mother was planning to move south to pursue new ventures, leaving the young child with no one to care for him. Granny Ma hoped this arrangement would give Siyi another relative to rely on.
She emphasized that a person cannot stand alone and needs mutual support, just like the character '人' (person) in Chinese, formed by two strokes supporting each other. Despite Siyi's strong objections, her frustration stemming from her mother's past abandonment and absence, Granny Ma persisted, highlighting her own debt to Siyi's mother for giving her such a wonderful granddaughter. Ma Siyi reluctantly accepted. Luo Zhimei went to her son's room, finding him somewhat downcast.
She told him she would not leave for now, at least not until after his college entrance exam. However, Zhou Haikuo encouraged her to pursue her dreams, asserting that her presence wouldn't guarantee his success nor would her absence lead to his failure. He reiterated that everyone has the right to change their destiny and that, even if she and his father divorced, she would always be his mother. Luo Zhimei was touched to tears.
Haikuo then urged her to "fly to the highest sky." That evening, Zhou Yanlin and Xie Tiancheng were drinking at By the Canal, both feeling disheartened. Yanlin informed Xie Tiancheng that Luo Zhimei was indeed going to Beijing to be a producer. Xie Tiancheng then worried about the Grand Canal's future. Yanlin explained that the Grand Canal was being nominated for World Heritage status, and if successful, it would be protected by the nation and restored to prosperity.
Hearing this, Xie Tiancheng regained some confidence, regretting that he hadn't sold his boat. However, Yanlin quickly reminded him that once the Grand Canal's World Heritage status was confirmed, his polluting diesel ship, along with other high-emission vessels, would be phased out. This news extinguished Xie Tiancheng's last glimmer of hope. Yanlin understood his friend's pain, acknowledging that despite Flower Street's decline, neither of them had ever truly wanted to leave, as it was their home and their roots.
Yet, he urged Xie Tiancheng to adapt to the times, suggesting he come ashore and await the canal's revitalization, after which he could return to the river. Xie Tiancheng wondered if he could ever truly go back. As time passed, the Xia family's floating supermarket operated smoothly, and Granny Ma successfully applied for and received a minimum living allowance, securing her livelihood.
Liang Haihong formed friendships at the driving school and passed her driving test on the first attempt, earning the respect of her male peers and even Coach Du, who had initially not thought highly of her. Coach Du, now impressed, gave her tips for long-haul trucking. Liang Haihong decisively cut her hair short, found a reliable co-driver named Mr. Chen, and officially began her career as a long-haul truck driver.
That night, Xie Tiancheng was once again drinking by the river. Xie Wanghe approached him, asking honestly if he truly intended to sell the boat, offering to help him keep it if he didn't. Xie Tiancheng confirmed his decision to sell, stating one cannot fight fate. He accepted Wanghe's online offer of 120,000 yuan for the ship to be used for earthwork, with payment upon delivery in Linqing.
Wanghe offered to have Uncle Xia deliver the boat, but Xie Tiancheng decided to take it himself for one last journey with his son. The next morning, Xie Tiancheng watched as his cherished diesel ship was driven away, running frantically to the bridge to gaze after it until it disappeared from view. Later, Xie Tiancheng gathered everyone in the courtyard for a meal.
He announced he had sold the boat for 120,000 yuan and, to their surprise and protest, distributed the entire sum among them according to their shares, keeping none for himself. Li Yan and Shao Maotian then invited Xie Tiancheng to join them as a partner in their floating supermarket. Li Yan admitted she had pushed Shao Maotian to start it, and it had been profitable.
She added that Shao Maotian had been lost and distraught without Xie Tiancheng's guidance, like a "soul lost". Xie Tiancheng readily agreed to the partnership. From the rooftop, Xia Fenghua and Xie Wanghe observed the scene. Xia Fenghua wondered aloud why the older generation loved seafaring so much, as she had never found it enjoyable. Xie Wanghe explained that in the past, during a time of scarce transportation, ship owners were highly respected and felt deeply needed.
He noted that they were still living in the glory and honor of that past era. He expressed his frustration at seeing them like this and his inability to help. Xia Fenghua encouraged him to strive and improve, making them proud. Xie Wanghe doubted himself, but Xia Fenghua praised his directness and genuine nature, calling him "thick-skinned," and asserted these qualities would make him successful with clients and help him forge friendships in business.
She even suggested he join her in Beijing someday, calling him a "potential stock." Xia Fenghua then asked about Ma Siyi, and Xie Wanghe responded that Siyi's personality was better suited for academics than for starting a business. Fenghua pressed further about Siyi's place in his future beyond professional endeavors, but Wanghe playfully dismissed her questions, telling her to watch fewer idol dramas lest her intelligence decline further.
