Northwards Episode 17 Recap
> Northwards Recap
Liang Haihong observed Xie Tiancheng’s low spirits as they drove their large truck, despite successfully ensuring full payment for a trip where a client had attempted to dock their earnings. This was a situation Xie Tiancheng had handled with the same tough demeanor he’d developed as a seafarer. Liang Haihong had been contemplating their future, suggesting they save money to send their son to college, then retire to a simpler life on a small boat.
However, throughout the 2,000-kilometer journey, Xie Tiancheng remained distant, barely speaking. Realizing his profound unhappiness, she later told him he belonged to the river, like a fish that couldn't survive without water, fearing he would fall ill from suppressing his true calling. When she mentioned that Liu Yuling had informed her of Shao Bingyi’s idea for him to organize a canal rescue team, Xie Tiancheng confirmed it but was hesitant.
Liang Haihong strongly encouraged him to pursue it, assuring him of her full support. She emphasized that while the family had once relied solely on him, she could now share the burden, and their son would undoubtedly succeed. She implored him not to lose his spirit and the charismatic aura that had initially captivated her. While Xie Tiancheng was buying groceries, Shao Bingyi approached him.
After a brief discussion about Shao Bingyi’s book, he proposed that Xie Tiancheng initiate and organize a canal rescue team to aid drowning victims, citing a recent incident in Liu Village. Shao Bingyi explained that this endeavor would bolster the canal's bid for World Heritage status by highlighting Flower Street's unique and commendable local culture of kindness, rather than historical romantic tales. Xie Tiancheng, suspecting Shao Bingyi’s ulterior motive, directly asked if he intended to write an article about it.
Shao Bingyi playfully denied it, asserting that good deeds deserved public recognition and that their collaboration would be a "win-win": Xie Tiancheng would perform the deeds, and he would immortalize them in writing. Xie Tiancheng jokingly suggested splitting any writing fees, but Shao Bingyi prioritized the "honor." Xie Tiancheng stated it was a major decision requiring consultation with his wife.
Shao Bingyi concluded by remarking that if the canal achieved World Heritage status, Xie Tiancheng could finally return to his life on the river. Later that evening, Xie Tiancheng sought out Xia Maotian by the river to discuss the rescue team. Despite some initial hesitation, Xia Maotian supported Xie Tiancheng's decision.
The two men then lit incense and prayed to the River God, earnestly wishing for the canal to prosper again so they could return to their beloved boats, the familiar smells of kerosene and diesel, and the roar of engine. Empowered by Liang Haihong's unwavering support, Xie Tiancheng proceeded to form the canal rescue team. Shao Bingyi promptly arranged for reporters to cover the inauguration, attracting a crowd of curious onlookers.
Xie Tiancheng, addressing the reporters, spoke of the canal's rich history and culture, emphasizing the team's responsibility to ensure its safety. Over time, the rescue team successfully saved numerous lives, accumulating an increasing number of commendation banners. Their heroic deeds were regularly featured in newspapers, with one article praising Xie Tiancheng and his team for embodying the selfless spirit of Dr. Norman Bethune.
While discussing one such article, Liu Yuling innocently inquired why Xia Maotian's name wasn't explicitly mentioned, creating an awkward silence. Xia Maotian quickly interjected, explaining that as a member of the rescue team, any praise directed at the team implicitly included him, pointing to a photograph as evidence. Another neighbor light-heartedly suggested cutting out the article and displaying it, remarking on how men, like Xie Tiancheng, valued public recognition.
During a casual chat between Ma Siyi and Xia Fenghua, Xie Wanghe startled Xia Fenghua. Zhou Haikuo inquired if Ma Siyi was truly set on attending Honghuai Normal University, suggesting her excellent grades qualified her for Beijing universities. However, Ma Siyi expressed disinterest in Beijing, echoing Xie Tiancheng's sentiment that some people simply aren't suited for it.
Xie Wanghe tried to persuade her to broaden her horizons, but Ma Siyi countered that she had already experienced Beijing and realized she was "an ignorant fool," though she intended to return when ready to "make a name for myself." She then challenged Xie Wanghe's constant talk of "success" being solely about making money, asserting that for her, success meant living a contented life, surrounded by her family and pursuing her studies.
She concluded by stating, "People with big dreams like you can never understand the goals of someone like me." Unconvinced, Xie Wanghe urged her to aspire to a "bigger world." As the final semester of high school began, the school announced a strict Monday-to-Friday closed-off boarding policy for all senior students. Ma Siyi, however, applied to be a day student, citing her responsibility to care for her young brother and ailing grandmother.
Despite the teacher's concerns that her family obligations were negatively impacting her academic performance and might jeopardize her college entrance exam, Ma Siyi promised to maintain her grades and self-discipline. The teacher, acknowledging her unique situation, agreed to seek an exception from the school, stressing the critical importance of the final semester. Later, Chen Rui approached Ma Siyi, also advising her against becoming a day student.
Ma Siyi reiterated her family's precarious situation, explaining that her brother's schooling and her grandmother's potential hospitalization meant she had to be home. Chen Rui offered to lend her money from his personal savings to hire a caregiver, but Ma Siyi, feeling already indebted for his past kindness, such as providing free tutoring at his home, politely declined. Meanwhile, a deeply distressing incident unfolded involving Xia Fenghua.
A malicious Photoshopped image of her in lingerie, with her face superimposed onto another's body, began circulating online among students. Classmates, including Xie Wanghe and Zhou Haikuo, stumbled upon the picture, some commenting on the explicit details. Xia Fenghua, upon seeing it, was aghast, vehemently denying ever taking such a photo and recognizing it as a clear fabrication. Xie Wanghe immediately suggested reporting the post and contacting the forum administrator for removal.
However, Zhou Haikuo discovered it was a private forum, making deletion difficult without the owner's cooperation and hacking it a time-consuming process. He warned that the post could severely damage Fenghua's reputation, especially since the perpetrator, identified as Hai, had threatened to release "more juicy content." Overwhelmed, Xia Fenghua broke down in tears. Fenghua's distraught cries enraged Xie Wanghe.
He stormed into Hai's studio, where Hai was gloating, claiming Fenghua "should've returned my money" and "deserved" what she got, warning this was "just the beginning." Enraged, Xie Wanghe physically assaulted Hai and smashed his studio equipment, warning him to leave Fenghua alone. Hai, in turn, threatened to call the police and have Xie Wanghe jailed.
Simultaneously, Xie Tiancheng was hailed a hero for rescuing a drowning child from the river, but his moment of triumph was cut short by a phone call informing him of Xie Wanghe's violent outburst. At the police station, Officer Shen informed Xie Tiancheng that Xie Wanghe had been detained for assaulting a photographer and vandalizing his studio, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the potential for a prison sentence.
While acknowledging Xie Wanghe's "sense of justice," Officer Shen criticized his impulsive "temper" and tendency to act "without considering the consequences." Xie Tiancheng, however, insisted his son wouldn't act without reason. Officer Shen advised seeking the victim's forgiveness and, if unsuccessful, to request a forensic medical examination, warning that a confirmed injury could ruin Xie Wanghe's future. Xie Tiancheng visited Hai, identified as Pang Dahai, in the hospital.
Pang Dahai, still fuming, cursed at Xie Tiancheng, refusing any forgiveness and vowing to ensure Xie Wanghe "rots in jail," recounting how Xie Wanghe had simply burst in and smashed his equipment while he was working. Upon receiving the urgent news, Liang Haihong immediately arranged for a colleague to take over her driving duties, sacrificing her earnings for the trip, and rushed home.
There, she confronted Xie Tiancheng, chastising him for being absent and drinking while their son faced trouble, accusing him of failing to protect their child. In a show of community solidarity, neighbors began collecting signatures for Xie Wanghe's support, with 124 households on Flower Street signing petitions. Even Granny Ma, despite her age, came to show her concern. The neighborhood committee and the school also prepared to intervene.
Officer Shen contacted them to schedule a mediation session for the following day. Xie Tiancheng, having experienced Pang Dahai's stubbornness, expressed pessimism about a peaceful resolution. Just then, Shao Xingchi and Zhou Haikuo arrived, explaining the full extent of Pang Dahai's malicious actions: he had Photoshopped Xia Fenghua's face onto a lingerie-clad body and posted it on the school's online forum, leading to Xie Wanghe's angry retaliation.
Li Yan and Xia Maotian were shocked by the revelation, wondering why they hadn't been informed sooner. Zhou Haikuo assured them that the offensive photos had been discovered quickly, traced to their source, and successfully deleted with the school's help. Realizing Xie Wanghe had acted to defend Fenghua, Li Yan and Xia Maotian regretted not intervening to prevent him from taking matters into his own hands.
Zhou Haikuo admitted that while they lacked direct evidence against Pang Dahai due to his use of a proxy server, they suspected he took the original photos, but a police report would be necessary to investigate further. Given the urgency, they all agreed to prioritize getting Xie Wanghe released. The police had suggested meeting Pang Dahai's demands for compensation to ensure Xie Wanghe could avoid legal consequences and not miss his college entrance exam.
Shao Xingchi was indignant about compensating Pang Dahai, but Li Yan quickly silenced him, urging him not to escalate the situation further. Overwhelmed with guilt, Xia Fenghua wept, believing she had ruined Xie Wanghe's college prospects. Xia Maotian, comforting her, reminded her that Wanghe saw her as a sister and they would honor his kindness by facing the consequences together. Meanwhile, Shao Bingyi took Shao Xingchi aside, lecturing him about the rule of law versus vigilantism.
When Shao Xingchi pressed him on how to seek justice against Pang Dahai if the law couldn't effectively punish him, Shao Bingyi suggested legal action, but Shao Xingchi countered that without clear evidence, a lawsuit would be futile, leaving Shao Bingyi momentarily speechless. The next day, Xie Tiancheng and Liang Haihong arrived at the Tangbei Police Station in Qingtang District, Honghuai City for the mediation.
The police mediator clarified that their purpose was to establish legal responsibilities and facilitate a resolution, not to merely gloss over the conflict. He confirmed from surveillance footage that while Xie Wanghe had initiated the property damage, he had not physically harmed Pang Dahai until Pang Dahai first attacked him, leading to Xie Wanghe's retaliation.
The mediator stated that both parties had committed "picking quarrels and making trouble" and urged them to reach an understanding to mitigate the legal consequences, warning that failure to agree would result in formal charges, detention, or sentencing. Liang Haihong requested a private conversation with Pang Dahai. She began by apologizing for her son's actions, but Pang Dahai dismissed it as "too late."
Liang Haihong then confronted him, hinting that he knew the true cause of the incident and questioning his morality for targeting "a young girl." Pang Dahai feigned ignorance and threatened to sue her for defamation. Shifting tactics, Liang Haihong appealed to him as a mother, revealing that Wanghe was their only son and their sole hope for a better future, as she and Xie Tiancheng considered themselves "ordinary."
She warned that if he extinguished that hope, they would have nothing left to lose and would "drag him down." When Pang Dahai accused her of threatening him, Liang Haihong clarified it was a "negotiation," passionately pleading with him "not to ruin the futures of both our families."
After a moment of consideration, Pang Dahai agreed to drop the criminal charges but demanded a total of 100,000 yuan for his medical expenses, recovery costs, and damaged equipment, insisting on a one-time, full payment. Despite Xie Tiancheng's outrage at the exorbitant demand, Liang Haihong swiftly accepted the terms and moved to sign the agreement, silencing her husband.
