Northwards Episode 26 Recap
> Northwards Recap
The Grand Canal's successful nomination for World Heritage status ushered in a new era, revitalizing the ancient waterway with unstoppable new energy. The era awakened a fresh spirit, and the Grand Canal once again demonstrated its resilience and pioneering drive. Flower Street's local government held a grand celebration. During a meal, Mayor Gu took the opportunity to propose a new vision: to revitalize Honghuai City and Flower Street by attracting young people back to their hometowns.
She acknowledged that many young people had left to start businesses elsewhere and announced new government policies to support their return. She encouraged the parents present to spread the word, emphasizing that she wanted the young generations to be drawn back by the promising future of Flower Street, not forced by their parents, and that the government was open to their feedback and suggestions. The parents enthusiastically pledged their support.
Meanwhile, Xie Wanghe, Xia Fenghua, Shao Xingchi, and Zhou Haikuo gathered to celebrate. Fenghua suggested they all go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival, to which Xie Wanghe readily agreed. Shao Xingchi, observing the growing closeness between Xie Wanghe and Fenghua, feigned cheerfulness but felt a pang of sadness. After the meal, he privately approached Xie Wanghe, expressing his readiness to take on a frontline station, having gained enough experience.
He conveyed his earnest desire to not "waste my life away" and to make his future "a little better every day," revealing he was "done living in the basement." When Xie Wanghe probed if his ambition was fueled by his feelings for Fenghua, Shao Xingchi retorted, "So are you." They then playfully challenged each other to "do our best and see who saves up enough to marry her first."
Inspired by Shao Xingchi's ambition, Xie Wanghe immediately went to the company to speak with Meng Wei. Despite Shao Xingchi's lack of experience, Xie Wanghe vouched for his capability and offered his own stock options as collateral, promising to take full responsibility for any losses if Shao Xingchi failed. Meng Wei, though wary of the risks, eventually agreed.
Xie Wanghe later encouraged Shao Xingchi to work hard and use his actions to prove his worth, advising him to ignore any company gossip. Shao Xingchi confidently promised to prove them dead wrong. He then addressed his new team, emphasizing "fairness" in order distribution and ensuring no one would receive orders from overly distant areas.
He also pledged his full support for unexpected situations and customer disputes, vowing, "I won't let anyone take the blame," and motivating them to "prove yourselves." Elsewhere, Sun Daxiao visited Fenghua's station, making sarcastic remarks about her alleged cooperation with Bee and inquiring about her staff shortage. He provocatively suggested she cede some of her operational area to others to alleviate her workload. Fenghua sharply refused, questioning if this was his personal ambition or a company directive.
She asserted her station could manage, despite being shorthanded, and would only seek help from headquarters if necessary, warning Sun Daxiao not to "stab me in the back." Sun Daxiao warned her against missing opportunities. Xie Wanghe, witnessing this, arrived and advised Fenghua to consider hiring temporary workers for sorting, allowing her couriers to focus on deliveries. He suggested that part-time shifts would be more cost-effective and that Zhou Haikuo could easily develop a simple management software for it.
Fenghua expressed interest but said she needed to "think about it." Later, Fenghua confided in He's mother about her station's past struggles and her determination to be "the last one to leave." She then asked He's mother if she knew any diligent hourly workers, and He's mother eagerly offered to help. The Flower Street neighbors held a meeting and confirmed that Zhou Yipu had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which was expected to worsen.
They decided to keep the diagnosis a secret from both Zhou Yipu and Zhou Haikuo. Liang Haihong, Li Yan, and Liu Yuling volunteered to take turns caring for Zhou Yipu. As Zhou Yipu's condition was expected to progress, Zhou Yanlin discreetly approached Chen Rui, asking him to help look after Zhou Yipu during their surveys and also to keep the illness confidential from Zhou Haikuo, who was in Beijing and would only worry unnecessarily.
Xiao Hui and Zhou Haikuo's relationship had reached the point of discussing marriage, but a significant disagreement arose when Xiao Hui expressed her desire to buy a house, a proposal Zhou Haikuo strongly opposed. The ensuing argument left them both upset. That evening, a distressed Zhou Haikuo sought solace with Xie Wanghe and Shao Xingchi, venting his frustration.
Shao Xingchi reasoned that a house could provide peace of mind for Xiao Hui, but Zhou Haikuo countered by citing his parents' separation despite owning a home, questioning if security truly lies in property. He argued that true love shouldn't be dependent on material possessions, feeling that Xiao Hui's insistence indicated a lack of trust.
When Shao Xingchi challenged his love for Xiao Hui, Xie Wanghe defended him, explaining that while Haikuo would willingly give a kidney out of love, being forced to buy a house made him feel distrusted. Zhou Haikuo agreed, stating he wanted to provide a good life for Xiao Hui but couldn't be coerced, as it would devalue their relationship.
Meng Wei praised Xie Wanghe and his team for their swift response and youthful drive, encouraging them to maintain their momentum against competitors. Xie Wanghe then delicately broached the subject of stock options for Zhou Haikuo and Shao Xingchi, emphasizing his desire for them to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion in Bee, even offering to share his own options. Meng Wei dismissed the idea, warning Xie Wanghe not to let emotions dictate business decisions.
He recounted his own painful experience of losing all his college startup partners, highlighting how "great kindness can lead to resentment" and that even "blood brothers fight tooth and nail over a bit of inheritance," dismissing Xie Wanghe's sentimental view as "naive." As the workday drew to a close, Luo Zhimei arrived to pick up Zhou Haikuo for dinner. She inquired about his argument with Xiao Hui, reiterating a woman's need for security, which she felt a house provided.
Zhou Haikuo challenged this, again bringing up his parents' relationship as proof that a house doesn't guarantee security. Luo Zhimei admitted that while she had only ever loved Zhou Yanlin and still did, the life he offered felt "depressed and suffocated." She chose to leave because she refused to live a predictable life where she "could see how it would end," preferring the hardships of an unknown future.
She concluded that she and Zhou Yanlin "parted on good terms," with both lingering resentment and mutual well-wishes. She advised Zhou Haikuo to consider three critical questions regarding his relationship with Xiao Hui: whether he could provide her desired life, if that life would cause him personal suffering, and most importantly, if he would regret a separation. She stressed that everyone must be responsible for their own choices. Luo Zhimei's candid words helped Zhou Haikuo confront his inner turmoil.
He returned home to find Xiao Hui sitting alone in the living room. After a heartfelt apology, they embraced, reconciling their differences. Meanwhile, at a restaurant, Xia Fenghua and Xie Wanghe enjoyed a conversation. Fenghua shared her dream of owning an RV and traveling the world, emphasizing that "What matters is who I travel with." Xie Wanghe then described his own post-IPO dream: to "Travel with the girl I love" and take wedding photos in Greece.
Fenghua playfully asked "With whom?" to which Xie Wanghe replied, "Certainly not with you." Just then, Shao Xingchi arrived at the restaurant with his employees. He spotted Fenghua and Xie Wanghe together through the window and, feigning a sudden change of plans, quickly led his team away, claiming the restaurant's shrimp were "very small."
Xie Wanghe walked Fenghua home, offering her health advice and presenting her with a "Guide for Reducing Costs and Increasing Efficiency of Delivery Riders in Haidian District." He once again extended a sincere invitation for her to join Bee. Fenghua gently declined, explaining that her station was nearly bankrupt when she took over, and her goal of becoming "station chief of the year" and ensuring her team's prosperity remained unachieved. She added that "Being needed makes me feel powerful" and after years of struggling "like a wild grass" in Beijing, she felt "I'm finally about to bloom."
