Northwards Episode 32 Recap
> Northwards Recap
After achieving over fifty percent market share in the Haidian district, Bee celebrated its success with a lively party. As the hero of this achievement, Xie Wanghe was the center of attention. Leaning back on a sofa, a visibly drunk Xie Wanghe mentioned Shao Xingchi, expressing both longing and resentment for his good friend and lamenting the inability to share his joy with him.
He asked Zhou Haikuo to tell Xingchi that he could take a break for six months at most, but then he must return as a position would be saved for him before Bee went public. Xie Wanghe stressed that after the company went public, regulations would be stricter, and he would no longer be able to pull strings for him.
When Zhou Haikuo questioned why Xie Wanghe wouldn't tell Xingchi himself, Xie Wanghe asserted that he was a leader, and Xingchi was just a "small fry" who had no right to speak to him directly. He added that Xingchi often annoyed him, and even if he tried to talk to him, Xingchi wouldn't listen. Outside, a heavy rainstorm continued. He Tianming, rushing to deliver an order, failed to notice a red light at an intersection.
He was tragically struck by a large truck, resulting in his immediate death. Upon learning the news, Zhou Haikuo quickly woke Xie Wanghe, and they hurried to the hospital. They arrived only to see He Tianming's body, while his wife wept inconsolably. He Tianming's family was already struggling, with a seventy-year-old mother and two children, one of whom was still unborn. His death compounded their financial hardship. In the hospital corridor, Xia Fenghua stood heartbroken, repeatedly questioning Xie Wanghe.
Xie Wanghe, however, could only state that everything was according to company regulations and he would try his best to secure the highest possible compensation for He Tianming's family. Xia Fenghua pressed him, asking why He Tianming, as a station chief, was delivering orders, and what penalties the company imposed for missing targets.
Xie Wanghe explained that the recent heavy rains caused a surge in orders, and He Tianming wanted to help, acknowledging that there were both penalties and rewards for performance. She then asked him how much a human life was worth and offered to pay him if he told her. Later, Meng Wei informed Xie Wanghe that the maximum compensation for He Tianming could only be increased to 30,000 yuan.
He reasoned that He Tianming, as a station chief, delivering orders was a personal act, and the company was not obligated to pay for his actions. Meng Wei stressed that with millions of delivery riders, if the company paid a large sum for every accident, they couldn't continue their business and might as well open a kindergarten or nursing home. Disbelieving, Xie Wanghe formally requested a significant increase in the compensation amount.
Meng Wei deflected, telling him to consult the legal department. However, the legal department simply passed the responsibility back to Meng Wei, frustrating Xie Wanghe, who likened their actions to a "World Cup" pass. The legal representative explained that the company purchased accident insurance for every employee, but compensation was according to company regulations, with no exceptions.
He pointed out that the insurance premiums were deducted from the riders' salaries, prompting Xie Wanghe to ask what the company had done for its employees beyond providing a "better platform." The legal representative then displayed CCTV footage of the accident, emphasizing that He Tianming ran a red light, which was the primary cause of the accident, thus limiting the insurance payout. Witnessing this, Xie Wanghe was disheartened.
He wandered alone in the heavy rain, feeling an unprecedented disappointment in the company due to the recent series of events. The following morning, Xie Wanghe fell ill with a high fever from being drenched. Fortunately, Xia Fenghua arrived at his home in time to care for him. Xia Fenghua found him burning up and offered to buy medicine, but he asked her not to leave. In a dazed state, Xie Wanghe clung to Xia Fenghua, confessing his mistakes.
He lamented that Xingchi had left and He Tianming had died, and he felt everyone blamed him. He explained that it was his responsibility to boost performance, and he "had to win." Xia Fenghua quietly acknowledged that he chose this responsibility and had no choice. Xie Wanghe repeatedly apologized, admitting he was wrong and begging her not to be angry. Xia Fenghua remained silent. When Xie Wanghe fully awoke, she had already left.
Subsequently, Xie Wanghe visited Station 203 to inquire about He Tianming and examine the station's data. Other employees at the station also expressed their disillusionment. He Tianming's mother arrived at the station, looking for her son. Noticing the somber mood, she grew uneasy and asked the staff and Xie Wanghe what was wrong. Xie Wanghe reluctantly revealed that He Tianming had been in a car accident. The old woman immediately collapsed, weeping hysterically.
Other staff members confirmed that since He Tianming took over, Station 203's data improved rapidly, with order volume increasing by 15% in the three days before his death. They mentioned He Tianming required full attendance and achieved the lowest cancellation rate among all Beijing stations, all following instructions from the higher-ups. However, they criticized the company for celebrating their success with champagne but showing no concern after the accident.
A senior employee reported that over twenty riders had resigned since He Tianming's accident, stating that everyone felt disheartened by the company's indifference. Meanwhile, Zhou Haikuo and Xiaohui broke up. While packing his belongings from their shared apartment, Zhou Haikuo asked Xiaohui the real reason for their separation. Xiaohui felt that Zhou Haikuo was too burdened by life, and his excessive rationality and logic had stripped the passion from their love.
She said he was a conflicted person, craving a peaceful life while fearing boredom and wanting to escape it. She advised him to listen to his heart and decide what kind of life would truly make him comfortable and satisfied. Zhou Haikuo acknowledged her words, expressing his realization that he had always been conflicted, even regretting not attending Shanghai Jiaotong University for its computer science program.
He admitted he was always anxious about gains and losses, including his relationship with Xiaohui, but also stated he admired his mother for always being decisive and never regretting her choices. After Xiaohui left for her new home in Xinghe Bay, Zhou Haikuo felt he finally understood. That evening, Zhou Haikuo had a heart-to-heart with Xie Wanghe, genuinely expressing his admiration for his mother's resolute decisions.
Through his reflections, he concluded that Bee was not the right fit for him and handed in his resignation to Xie Wanghe. Xie Wanghe felt completely isolated, noting that Xingchi had left, Fenghua was upset with him because of He Tianming's death, and now Zhou Haikuo was also leaving. Zhou Haikuo explained that the company's attitude towards He Tianming's accident revealed its "wolf culture," where those at the front thrived while those at the back perished.
He asserted, "I'm not a wolf, and I don't want to be one." The next morning, He Tianming's mother and wife sought out Xia Fenghua, bringing the labor contract He Tianming had signed with Bee. Xia Fenghua noticed numerous strict clauses, with compensation terms that were vague and highly unfavorable to He Tianming, making a lawsuit difficult.
She reminded them that she had revised her station's contracts after much struggle with the head office, and even then, her suggestion to purchase additional insurance had been rejected by employees who felt "lucky." Xia Fenghua advised the mother and daughter-in-law to await Xie Wanghe's resolution, believing he sincerely intended to help, and offered to pay for a lawyer and legal fees if he failed.
However, He Tianming's wife, Lirong, distrusted Xie Wanghe, stating she could not entrust all her hope in him, especially with a young family to support. She declared Tianming could not have died in vain and vowed to make the company pay, even if it meant risking her own life. Ignoring Xia Fenghua’s pleas, she led He Tianming’s mother to the Bee corporate office, where they cried and caused a public disturbance outside the building, attracting a crowd.
Qiu Lin and Mr. Song, upon hearing that He Tianming's family was there to confront Xie Wanghe, retreated to an office to strategize. Mr. Song believed the immediate priority was to observe. He suggested letting the situation escalate, then "adding fuel to the fire" to ensure the incident became widespread. His goal was to force Meng Wei to "sacrifice a rook to save the king," ultimately leading to Xie Wanghe's downfall and reclaiming what he had "stolen" from them.
Qiu Lin expressed his utmost admiration for Mr. Song's cunning plan. Meanwhile, some media reporters from Fellow Workers. com arrived at Xia Fenghua's express station to inquire about He Tianming's case, attempting to speak to her employees. Xia Fenghua, however, strictly refused to comment on food delivery matters, as her station was for parcel delivery, and forbade her staff from speaking to the media without her permission, threatening serious demerits for any unauthorized interviews.
