Northwards Episode 5 Recap
> Northwards Recap
After class, Ma Siyi learned from Ms. Xia Fenghua that Chen Rui had fractured his lower leg the previous night and was hospitalized. Ma Siyi, worried, told her friends Xie Wanghe and others that she had to visit Chen Rui at the hospital. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Chen Rui's mother, Gu Alian, was busy with incessant work calls, including one about contaminated farmland.
Her husband, Chen Bo, arrived late, explaining he had been at a reception for the City Writers Association. Gu Alian, at her wit's end, complained about his tardiness, mockingly asking if it was the "Writers Association or Hairdressers Association." She then turned her attention to Chen Rui, worried about his studies, and blamed his injury on his attempt to bail out what she called "delinquent teenagers" the previous night.
Chen Bo defended the teenagers, saying they were decent children, while Chen Rui lay distraught in his hospital bed. Meanwhile, Xie Wanghe, Shao Xingchi, Zhou Haikuo, and Xia Fenghua arrived at the hospital, attempting to find Chen Rui's ward. The front desk nurse declined to provide the room number, citing patient privacy. In a clever maneuver, Xia Fenghua pretended to have a heart attack, dramatically collapsing and clutching her chest.
While the nurse was distracted, the friends managed to peek at the patient list and locate Chen Rui’s ward. They then burst into his room, instantly lifting Chen Rui's spirits. He laughed as they playfully teased him about his fractured leg and the challenges of using the bathroom. Ma Siyi, ever thoughtful, offered to copy her class notes for Chen Rui and clarify any difficult topics. Xie Wanghe boasted that he had an even better study plan involving practice questions.
The friends also reminded Chen Rui to avoid reckless behavior, especially after his recent run-in with the police. Chen Rui promised to stay out of trouble. Gu Alian then entered the ward, immediately causing the boisterous friends to quiet down. She sternly reminded everyone to focus on their studies with the college entrance exam approaching.
She listened as Ma Siyi told the others about Chen Rui's grades, expressing her satisfaction that he was a top 10 student but concern that his performance became "unstable" when he spent time with certain friends. She subtly disapproved of Chen Rui associating with the group, suggesting their parents wouldn't want them to "become monks at a young age." Following this, Gu Alian asked to speak with Ma Siyi in private.
She thanked Ma Siyi for offering to share her notes with Chen Rui and extended an invitation for Ma Siyi to stay at their home while Chen Rui was hospitalized. Gu Alian elaborated on a convenient arrangement: she would drive Ma Siyi to school in the mornings, Ma Siyi could then visit Chen Rui at the hospital after school to deliver and explain the notes, and Gu Alian would then drive her home.
Gu Alian then explicitly advised Ma Siyi that "good students like you and Chen Rui should pay all your attention to your studies" and "shouldn't hang out with those naughty people anymore," suggesting they "should stay away from them or even stop associating with them." Ma Siyi, understanding Gu Alian's underlying message, responded by asking if Gu Alian had an elder brother, to which Gu Alian replied she only had a younger brother in her hometown.
Ma Siyi then posed a hypothetical question, asking if Gu Alian would sever ties with her brother if it meant she could become a mayor. Ma Siyi went on to explain that, while others might not consider Xie Wanghe, Shao Xingchi, Zhou Haikuo, and Xia Fenghua "model students," to her, "they are like my own brothers and sisters." She politely but firmly requested that Gu Alian refrain from speaking ill of her friends in her presence.
After saying thank you, Ma Siyi departed. After Ma Siyi rejoined her friends, Xie Wanghe asked her what Gu Alian had said. Ma Siyi informed them that she was heading to the bank to send money to her mother. Xie Wanghe, immediately worried, pressed her about where she got the money, fearing she might have resorted to selling blood.
Ma Siyi, exasperated, told him it was none of his business and that she would manage her own affairs, emphasizing that she didn't want to owe him such a significant favor, stating, "I can't repay your kindness." Xie Wanghe protested that he never expected repayment. Growing increasingly frustrated and echoing some of Gu Alian's earlier sentiments, Ma Siyi sternly told him to stop thinking "all that nonsense."
She then advised him: "If you don't want to go to college, drop out now! Then raise funds to start a business. If you want to go to college, start your revision from now on! Please be responsible for yourself." Ma Siyi's sharp words visibly hurt Xie Wanghe, who retreated to the rooftop feeling downcast. Xia Fenghua soon found him there, teasing him for being "sad and indignant again."
She then turned serious, agreeing with Ma Siyi that he should "seriously think about his future." Xia Fenghua lamented her own lack of intelligence, stating that if she were "half as smart" as him, she would "definitely study hard to be admitted to a good university," making her parents "overjoyed." She suggested that despite his intelligence, he often "experiences brain farts."
Xia Fenghua explained that she understood Ma Siyi's anger because Xie Wanghe "constantly wasted his time and talent and made his parents worried." Xie Wanghe tried to deflect, pointing out that she also worried her parents. But Xia Fenghua insisted that "we all hope you can be more reliable and put your brain to good use," adding that it was up to him to define what "good use" meant.
She then shared a poignant anecdote about her father, who, when he drinks too much, often regrets "he didn't study hard when he was young," which led to him only being able to do "seafaring all these years" and never achieving "any great achievement." She earnestly expressed her hope that when Xie Wanghe reaches his father's age, he "won't complain, regret, or make those who love you worried."
Later, at home, Xie Wanghe asked his mother, Liang Haihong, if she thought he would be successful. She lovingly affirmed he would, praising his intelligence, which she claimed he inherited from her family, unlike his father. Xie Wanghe then proposed starting a business, mentioning several ideas that could make him a lot of money if she would "support" him. Liang Haihong immediately suspected he was asking for money.
Xie Wanghe confessed his real intention: he wanted to "drop out of school." Liang Haihong reacted with fury, yelling and hitting him, declaring that the Xie family was "counting on him to bring honor with a high school diploma." She bitterly contrasted him with his father, Xie Tiancheng, who "ended up like this" because "he didn't finish school," having "no other skills" besides seafaring.
She added that Xie Tiancheng's business was "getting worse day by day" and that he had aged significantly in recent years. Meanwhile, Xie Tiancheng went to Dingsheng Building Materials Company to collect a debt from Crippled Sun, who was engrossed in a card game, trying to avoid him. Xie Tiancheng confronted Crippled Sun, mentioning that the Hengtong Group had already paid him over three million yuan the previous month.
Crippled Sun, however, denied this, feigning poverty and claiming his family could "barely make ends meet" due to tough canal business, and tried to fob him off with cheap items like cigarettes and a crystal trophy. Enraged by Crippled Sun's blatant lies and disrespect, Xie Tiancheng took him hostage with a sharp object.
To Xie Tiancheng's horror, Crippled Sun then threatened his son, Xie Wanghe, detailing his school, class, and regular internet cafe haunts, chillingly asking how many "Achilles tendons" Xie Wanghe had for him to cut. This forced a distraught Xie Tiancheng to abandon his demand for payment and release Crippled Sun. Luo Zhimei was in Hengdian, pursuing her acting career.
On set, she struggled with a scene and, during a break, expressed frustration over a delayed payment from another job, threatening to tear up the contract. Her friend, Ai Linlin, arrived with a script for a new drama in Beijing, offering Luo Zhimei a promising role with over 300 scenes and an opportunity to audition.
Luo Zhimei initially hesitated, wanting to return home soon as her son was preparing for the college entrance exam and her husband, Zhou Yanlin, was already "going crazy" from her absence. Ai Linlin strongly encouraged her, highlighting the project's prestige with A-list leads, an excellent script, and a talented director from the Beijing Film Academy, suggesting Luo Zhimei call Zhou Yanlin to discuss it.
Later, Luo Zhimei spoke with Zhou Yanlin on the phone, informing him she would wrap up filming the next day. He expressed relief, assuming she would return home. However, she then revealed her plan to go to Beijing for an audition for a "female number two" role in a drama with an "all-star cast" that was "set to air on satellite TV channels" and "bound to be a hit."
Zhou Yanlin's silence indicated his displeasure, though he calmly told her to "give it a good try." Luo Zhimei assured him she would return quickly if she didn't get the role, but if she did, she would certainly take it. At the very end of the episode, Luo Zhimei, having watched the director's previous work, called Ai Linlin again, expressing immense admiration for the director and her renewed determination to audition.
She affirmed that she would head to Beijing immediately after wrapping filming the next day, stating she had to "give it a shot no matter what" for "such a great director." Shao Bingyi approached the curator, demanding an explanation for why his research topic was rejected despite passing the initial selection.
The curator explained that "the organization" decided his topic's "value orientation had some issues," and openly ridiculed Shao Bingyi's focus on "Su Xiaomei's shoe size" and foot bindings, dismissing it as historically unverified and "distasteful."
Shao Bingyi passionately defended his research, asserting he was studying the "history of ancient customs" and citing historical poems and accounts to argue that Su Xiaomei, known for her outgoing personality and larger frame, would not have bound her feet and thus wore larger shoes (size 38, or at least 35). The curator, however, dismissed his evidence as "unofficial histories" and "impossible to verify," even misattributing a historical epitaph.
Shao Bingyi corrected him, clarifying the historical figure was "Shiniang," not Su Xiaomei, but the curator merely chided him for being "only left with boldness" in his scholarship. Shao Bingyi, growing increasingly agitated, then demanded to know who received the special grant.
The curator revealed it was Chen Bo, whose topic on "dialect changes in the Honghuai region" and the Grand Canal's role was deemed valuable, not only securing a special grant but also attracting a publishing house willing to print an initial run of 8,000 copies. Shao Bingyi was visibly shocked. Back in their office, Shao Bingyi sarcastically "congratulated" Chen Bo. Chen Bo clarified that an old school friend working as an editor at the publishing house found his manuscript impressive.
Shao Bingyi, however, scoffed, implying that Chen Bo's success, including the special grant and book deal, was all thanks to his wife, Gu Alian, being the district chief, suggesting that subordinates would curry favor and the government would buy the books. Chen Bo vehemently denied his wife's involvement, growing furious and demanding Shao Bingyi "make it clear" what the grant had to do with her.
Their argument escalated, with Shao Bingyi threatening to report Chen Bo and his wife for "abusing your power for personal gain and suppressing your colleagues." The curator, drawn by the commotion, intervened, admonishing them for their public squabble as "educated people." Back at home, Shao Bingyi continued to vent his frustration to his wife, Liu Yuling, complaining about being unfairly treated at work.
She urged him to drink less, but he retorted that "drinking harms the liver, but if I don't drink, my heart hurts." He bitterly blamed Chen Bo's success on his wife being the district chief, accusing them of impropriety and lamenting his own unrewarded efforts on his Su Xiaomei research, despite putting in so much "heart and effort." In a drunken rage, he pushed Liu Yuling, causing her to cry out in pain as her back was injured.
Their son, Shao Xingchi, witnessed the scene and immediately rushed over. He angrily confronted his father, telling him to quiet down and warning him that if he "gets drunk and acts crazy again," he would "report you to your workplace for domestic violence." Liu Yuling tried to pacify Shao Xingchi, assuring him she was okay.
Xie Tiancheng, frustrated by his inability to collect the debt from Crippled Sun and worried about his family's dwindling finances, found himself drinking outside with Zhou Yanlin (referred to as Lao'er). Later, a still-drinking Xie Tiancheng returned home and advised Xie Wanghe to learn Jay Chou's song "Listen to Mom" for Liang Haihong. His attempts to cheer up his son were short-lived, however, as Liang Haihong discovered a condom in his pocket. Enraged, she confronted him, accusing him of infidelity.
Despite Xie Tiancheng's denials, insisting he "never use this thing," Xie Wanghe confirmed it came from his father's pocket. Liang Haihong, deaf to Xie Wanghe's pleas to stop, chased and violently beat Xie Tiancheng. Later, Xie Wanghe, accustomed to such tumultuous family scenes, joined Shao Xingchi and Zhou Haikuo on the rooftop. Shao Xingchi's face was bruised from a confrontation with his father, and he lamented his mother's back injury from a previous incident.
Xie Wanghe noted how his father "never fights back" when his mother hits him. The friends, wishing for a brighter future, envisioned themselves as successful individuals earning millions, their parents retired and content, with their biggest worry being their children's marriages. Zhou Haikuo then shared the charming story of his parents' meeting: his mother, an opera actress specializing in "qingyi roles," captivated his father during her first stage performance.
Though she initially "looked down on" his father, he "won her over" by cooking her a meal on their first date. Later, Xie Tiancheng explained the misunderstanding to Liang Haihong, revealing that Crippled Sun had indeed slipped the condom into his pocket during their contentious meeting.
He confessed his deep financial struggles, admitting he "haven't had any income for months" and was worried about not being able to pay back the dividends owed to their neighbors, especially feeling guilty about Granny Ma's difficult situation. He expressed his outrage at Crippled Sun, who "drives a Mercedes to the nightclub, blowing thousands in one night, but he doesn't pay back the money he owes."
Xie Wanghe overheard this and, enraged by Crippled Sun's deceit, grabbed a brick and rushed out, intending to smash Crippled Sun's car. However, he hesitated at the last moment, unable to bring himself to commit the act. Just then, Xia Fenghua appeared, telling him he was "smart enough." She explained that she had followed him from home after seeing him upset, fearing he would do something foolish. Xie Wanghe, still reeling, simply told her to leave him alone.
