Northwards Episode 36 Recap
> Northwards Recap
The young lovers, Xia Fenghua and Xie Wanghe, found their relationship unsupported by their mothers. Liang Haihong was unwilling for her son to marry a woman whose life was uncertain, and Li Yan did not wish for her daughter to become a burden to anyone. Xie Wanghe tried to reassure Xia Fenghua that their parents were merely shocked and would eventually accept the reality.
Xia Fenghua, however, revealed that her own mother, Li Yan, had bluntly told her to "pack her things and find a place to wait for her death" if she got cancer, so as not to impose on others. Xia Fenghua, undeterred, told Xie Wanghe that she didn't care about marriage as long as he loved her, considering her years of waiting worthwhile.
Xie Wanghe asserted his stubborn nature, stating that once he made up his mind, what others said wouldn't matter. He then shared that their friend Shao Xingchi fully supported them, even offering to pay for betrothal gifts and threatening to "take her away" if Xie Wanghe ever treated Xia Fenghua badly. Xia Fenghua advised Xie Wanghe that "time smooths things out" and that if they truly desired to be together, all problems would eventually be resolved.
Back at Flower Street, Xia Maotian discovered Xia Fenghua’s medical report and learned that her illness had a "one in ten" chance of survival, leaving him heartbroken. Li Yan lay weeping on her bed, distraught and wishing she could trade her own life for her daughter's. Later, Xie Wanghe took Xia Fenghua to their old middle school classroom. Amidst the nostalgic surroundings, Xie Wanghe found his old desk carving, questioning whether he had succeeded according to his past aspirations.
He then uncovered a carving on what he insisted was Xia Fenghua's desk, which read, "I wish the boy I love could love me too." Despite Xia Fenghua's playful denials, Xie Wanghe officially declared his love for her, fulfilling her long-held wish. That evening, upon returning home, Xie Wanghe found his father, Xie Tiancheng. Xie Tiancheng acknowledged Xia Fenghua's brain tumor, but when Xie Wanghe confirmed his genuine love for her, his father offered unwavering support.
Xie Tiancheng recounted how he himself had married Liang Haihong despite family opposition, urging his son to bravely pursue his own happiness and assuring him that he had his back. The next morning, Xie Tiancheng invited Xia Maotian for a drink. Xia Maotian, anticipating a difficult conversation, initially stated his refusal to approve the marriage. However, Xie Tiancheng openly declared his support for Xie Wanghe and Xia Fenghua, reminding Xia Maotian of their own rebellious youth.
Moved by Xie Tiancheng's steadfastness, Xia Maotian eventually agreed. Simultaneously, Liang Haihong sought out Li Yan. Before Liang Haihong could voice her concerns, Li Yan preemptively stated her refusal to let Xia Fenghua burden Xie Wanghe. While this initially brought relief to Liang Haihong, Li Yan then lamented her daughter's cruel fate, recalling a monk's prophecy of a happy life with many children for Xia Fenghua.
She tearfully pleaded for them to give Xia Fenghua some hope before her upcoming surgery, as Xia Fenghua had only recently agreed to it. Liang Haihong tried to justify her tough stance, but Li Yan acknowledged her reasoning, stating she would feel the same way. Li Yan then invited Liang Haihong to join her at the temple. The disagreement between Xie Tiancheng and Liang Haihong later escalated into an argument.
Liang Haihong maintained her "leaky boat" analogy for marriage, suggesting that a union starting with such difficulties would inevitably sink, jeopardizing the long-standing friendship between their families. Understanding his mother's concerns, Xie Wanghe spoke with her alone. He expressed that Xia Fenghua was his happiness, and he could not abandon her while she was sick. He pressed his mother, asking if she would have abandoned Xie Tiancheng if he were in a similar plight.
Unmoved, Xie Wanghe presented his accumulated savings to his mother, offering them for his parents' future and explaining that his own needs in Beijing were modest. He then firmly declared that he would take Xia Fenghua to Beijing the next morning, and they would only return when his parents fully accepted their marriage. Xie Wanghe's unwavering resolve ultimately led Liang Haihong to implicitly approve their union.
Li Yan, though still heartbroken for her daughter, also hoped for Xia Fenghua to have a happy family. The following day, as Xia Fenghua prepared to leave for her shop, Xie Wanghe unexpectedly took her directly to the Civil Affairs Bureau. To her emotional surprise, both sets of parents were already there. Liang Haihong embraced Xia Fenghua, admitting Wanghe's stubbornness but promising to be on Xia Fenghua's side from that moment on.
Li Yan, in turn, accepted Xie Wanghe as her son. With both families witnessing their commitment, Xia Fenghua and Xie Wanghe exchanged their vows, pledging to share life's joys and sorrows, and officially registered their marriage. After the ceremony, the two families happily walked through Flower Street. Xie Wanghe immediately adopted a playfully henpecked demeanor, much to the amusement of the elders.
Xia Maotian, clearly fond of his new son-in-law, good-naturedly cautioned Xie Wanghe not to spoil Xia Fenghua too much, jokingly adding that she "gets too big for her boots." Xia Fenghua, in return, playfully chided her father for taking Xie Wanghe's side. As the families shared laughter, Xie Tiancheng observed the Flower Street archway, now undergoing construction, which brought a moment of melancholy. Xia Maotian quickly reassured him that even with such changes, their families, now united, would remain inseparable.
Late that night, Shao Xingchi was busy at By the Canal. Stepping outside, he encountered Mo, an elderly scavenger who lived nearby and often conversed with Shao Xingchi's father. Shao Xingchi offered Mo a bowl of freshly made Yang Chun Noodles. Mo, initially hesitant, gratefully accepted the meal. As he ate, he became visibly emotional, declaring it "the most delicious bowl of noodles I've ever had" and sensing the care with which it was made. Moments later, Mo suddenly collapsed.
