Northwards Episode 2 Recap
> Northwards Recap
Early one morning, Liang Haihong stood thoughtfully at her stall as other mothers from the courtyard gathered around. They noticed her troubled expression, and Liang Haihong explained her concerns about the proposed new ship. She worried about losing money, asking, "What if we can't?" Another mother tried to reassure her, saying that Boss Xie, her husband, was an expert on the canal and couldn't be wrong. However, Liang Haihong was not convinced.
She stated that they were just a small business and couldn't afford to take risks. She pointed out that while her husband and his partner could manage a 500-ton ship, a larger vessel would require hiring additional crew, significantly increasing their operating costs. Another mother expressed agreement, wondering about the potential expense. Ma Siyi transferred to the elementary school where Xia Fenghua and Xie Wanghe attended. Her distinctive appearance and quiet demeanor immediately drew attention.
During a lesson, Xie Wanghe attempted to pass a note to Ma Siyi. Xia Fenghua, witnessing this, reported him to the teacher. Both Xie Wanghe and Xia Fenghua were then sent to stand in the corridor as punishment. Back in the courtyard, the mothers discussed Ma Siyi staying. Granny Ma confirmed she had enrolled Ma Siyi in school and that the girl would remain with her.
Xia Fenghua's mother, Li Yan, expressed outrage, questioning Ma Siyi's mother's parental responsibility, exclaiming, "How could a mother abandon her own child?" Another mother defended Siyi's mother, explaining that she had remarried and had another child, making it difficult to raise both. However, Li Yan remained firm, stating that children should always come first, and she would prioritize her own daughter's feelings if she were to remarry.
That evening, while other families in the courtyard enjoyed lively dinners, Ma Siyi's home was quiet and somber. Missing her mother, Ma Siyi sat alone in her room, silently weeping. Granny Ma tried to comfort her, offering more food, but Ma Siyi politely declined, later promising to wash dishes after homework. The next day, the courtyard was bustling again as the mothers helped Granny Ma set up her breakfast stall.
Xie Wanghe, after a brief exchange with his mother Liang Haihong about it being Saturday and asking for money, secured five yuan for ice cream. Xia Fenghua, along with other friends, immediately demanded a share. Later, the children saw Ma Siyi secretly making a phone call from the street. Ma Siyi tearfully pleaded with her mother, asking how long she would have to stay with her grandmother and when she could return home.
She offered to help with housework and care for her younger brother, promising it wouldn't affect her studies. However, her mother responded coldly, saying Ma Siyi needed to be more considerate because Granny Ma needed care. She claimed she was too busy to take Ma Siyi back and that Ma Siyi would live with her grandmother from now on, quickly hanging up the phone when she claimed her younger son woke up.
Watching Ma Siyi weep after the call, Xia Fenghua and Xie Wanghe felt immense pity for her. Ma Siyi's distinct appearance soon attracted attention from other classmates, particularly a boy named Sun Sanliang, who persistently tried to befriend her. When Sun Sanliang approached Xie Wanghe, asking to be introduced to Ma Siyi and offering to buy her ice cream, Xie Wanghe immediately told him to stay away.
Sun Sanliang retorted that Ma Siyi was Xie Wanghe's neighbor, not his wife, and that Xie Wanghe should mind his own business. Incensed, Xie Wanghe confronted him, leading to a conflict that was quickly broken up by a teacher. While standing outside as punishment, Xie Wanghe noticed that Ma Siyi did not have a proper schoolbag, only an old cloth bag.
This prompted him to approach Shao Xingchi and Zhou Haikuo to discuss pooling their money to buy Ma Siyi a new one. Xia Fenghua encouraged Ma Siyi to sneak out of her room through the window, and together they made and ate sugar syrup. While enjoying the treat, Xia Fenghua asked Ma Siyi about her favorite foods and school subjects.
Learning that Ma Siyi excelled in literature and essay writing, Xia Fenghua proposed a deal: Ma Siyi would help her with her essays, and in return, Xia Fenghua would protect her from any bothersome boys. Ma Siyi agreed, and a budding friendship began to grow between them. Xie Wanghe, Shao Xingchi, and Zhou Haikuo gathered to count their pooled money, realizing it was far from enough to buy a new schoolbag.
To earn the remaining 80 yuan, Xie Wanghe led them to the river to dive for clams. They then took their catch to Shao Bingyi, offering to sell them for 80 yuan, which they claimed was the market price. Shao Bingyi, impressed by their negotiation tactics and insistence on upfront cash payment, agreed to buy the clams but reminded them to be careful in the river. He commented that the boys were quite "business-minded."
Later, Ma Siyi was deeply touched when her friends presented her with a new schoolbag, solidifying the bond among the five children. As noon approached, Zhou Yanlin's restaurant, "By the Canal," buzzed with activity. He had set up a special table for the children to eat, even instructing the chef to prepare light, healthy meals for them. At that moment, District Chief Gu A-lian arrived with her son, Chen Rui.
Explaining that her busy work schedule prevented her from cooking for her son, she hoped to enroll Chen Rui in the children's meal program. Zhou Yanlin welcomed them enthusiastically and was delighted to discover that Chen Rui was already a classmate of Xia Fenghua and the others. Ms. Gu insisted on paying, stating she couldn't allow her son to eat there otherwise, but Zhou Yanlin graciously declined, viewing it as a favor to him.
Chen Rui was quickly integrated into the lively group of children. As Shao Bingyi rode past, he spotted District Chief Gu A-lian and quickly approached her. He greeted her warmly and spoke about his cultural aspirations, mentioning his ongoing work on "The Story of the Canal" and Ms. Gu's offer of a cultural grant for the project. Meanwhile, the children listened intently as Zhou Yipu recounted tales.
He spoke of an ancient monument erected by Prime Minister Liu Luoguo, celebrating Flower Street's historical importance on the canal. He then transitioned to a story about a foreign visitor from Italy, whose name sounded like "Little Polo," who arrived from the South Sea and traveled north along the canal, carrying what locals called a "soul absorber" (which was merely a camera). Xie Wanghe, remembering Ma Siyi's mixed heritage, jokingly asked if this foreigner was her ancestor.
Ma Siyi immediately denied it, explaining that her grandmother had said her ancestors traveled south from the north, contradicting the story. Later, Sun Sanliang again pestered Ma Siyi, trying to give her ice cream she didn't want. When he wouldn't leave her alone, Xia Fenghua, Xie Wanghe, Shao Xingchi, and Zhou Haikuo intervened, leading to a brawl with Sun Sanliang.
Covered in dirt, the children, fearing their parents' scolding, tried to sneak back into the courtyard but were caught by Liang Haihong. She pulled Xie Wanghe into their room, chastising him. When Xie Wanghe explained that they were defending Ma Siyi from bullies, Liang Haihong realized her mistake. She apologized to her son and urged him to continue protecting Ma Siyi, treating her like his own sister. Listening from outside the door, Ma Siyi was deeply moved by their conversation.
With her new friends, Ma Siyi's life became more vibrant. She asked Granny Ma about their neighbors, and Granny Ma lovingly described each family: the Zhou family, who had lived there since the courtyard was built, with the intelligent Haikuo; the Shao family, who arrived eight years ago when Xingchi was a hungry toddler; and Wanghe’s family, who moved in with Fenghua’s, known for their kindness and loyalty.
Granny Ma particularly recalled how Uncle Xie had selflessly helped her during Ma Siyi's father's illness. She emphasized that all the neighbors were good people and encouraged Ma Siyi to cherish these relationships, reminding her of the old saying, "Good neighbors are more helpful than distant relatives." Soon after, the four families gathered to discuss the new ship investment.
Xie Tiancheng presented the details, highlighting the new 1000-ton ship's imported, fuel-efficient, and quiet engine, and the favorable sale of their old vessel. He assured everyone that the new ship would be delivered within a week of payment. Though he offered an out to anyone uninterested, Shao Bingyi immediately brought money, stating his family was in.
Granny Ma, despite her limited resources and caring for Ma Siyi, was the first to wholeheartedly support the venture financially, insisting she wanted to contribute. Others, including Liang Haihong, also expressed their trust in Xie Tiancheng and committed their funds. The money was collected, and Xie Wanghe’s family successfully acquired the new 1000-ton ship, which was ceremoniously adorned with red silks and flowers as it returned to Flower Street.
The children's bond deepened, and their childhood was filled with joyful days of playing, often swimming in the river, as they grew up together. Seven years passed, and by 2007, all five friends were high school students. During one of their river outings, Xia Fenghua, feigning reluctance to swim without her swimsuit, mischievously made off with everyone else's clothes. Their playful antics were abruptly interrupted by screams coming from a nearby house.
The five friends rushed over to find out what happened. They learned that Wu, a seafarer from Flower Street who had recently acquired a new ship, had accumulated massive debts, primarily through gambling. He had borrowed money for the ship, struggled to find work, and was heavily fined for overloading during a recent coal shipment, leading him to despair and jump into the river.
The tragic incident underscored the changing times, as the increasing number of highways led to a decline in canal shipping, creating immense pressure on the boatmen and challenging their way of life, even as the spirit of the canal endured within them.
