Northwards Episode 6 Recap
> Northwards Recap
That night, Xia Fenghua accompanied Xie Wanghe on the bridge, expressing relief that he was no longer as impulsive as before. She noted that had he smashed Crippled Sun's car, as he originally intended due to Crippled Sun's unpaid debts and his mother's distress, it would have created serious problems, further burdening his parents.
Xie Wanghe admitted he hadn't considered the full implications but felt that as he was approaching eighteen, it was time to change his ways, a sentiment inspired by Ma Siyi. Xia Fenghua praised Xie Wanghe's intelligence, recalling how as a child he once advised her mother to sell different flavored soy milk at the school gate, significantly increasing her earnings and making her mother praise him constantly.
She encouraged him to believe in himself, assuring him he would achieve great wealth. They playfully discussed their future plans after graduation, with Xie Wanghe and his friends aiming for Beijing, and Xia Fenghua joking about following him. She then asked him to promise to invite Jay Chou to sing for her when he became rich, to which he promised to buy her a "three-wheeler."
Xie Wanghe then offered to lend Xia Fenghua money to replace her "worn-out" pants, calling her fashion sense similar to Quasimodo from Notre Dame, which led to a lighthearted chase and playful banter. Later, Shao Bingyi, feeling his talents were unappreciated, went to the river. He confided in someone that he had lost a fight and felt like he had never won in his life, confessing to despising himself.
The next day, Granny Ma called Luo Zhimei, who was busy filming in Hengdian. Luo Zhimei promised to return home after her current projects. However, Luo Zhimei's absence left Zhou Yanlin unusually irritable, causing him to lash out at his restaurant staff, threatening to send them home if they were not serious about their work. Granny Ma visited the restaurant and patiently tried to counsel Zhou Yanlin, encouraging him to show more concern for Luo Zhimei.
She explained that Luo Zhimei, despite her proud and stubborn nature, was going through a tough time as an actress in Hengdian and needed his care and support, suggesting even a few kind words could brighten her day. Zhou Yanlin offered Granny Ma some newly acquired Pu'er tea, explaining its benefits, and she humorously remarked that they were both trying to manage health issues.
In the evening, Zhou Yanlin stepped out of his restaurant and overheard his son, Zhou Haikuo, and Xie Wanghe discussing his parents' problems while playing pool. Zhou Haikuo expressed his wish for his mother not to return, as her presence always led to arguments with his father, which he found depressing. Xie Wanghe suggested that the primary fault lay with Zhou Yanlin, given that most people from Flower Street were seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Zhou Haikuo hoped his parents could discuss their issues calmly, even if it led to divorce, so they wouldn't become enemies. He then stated that if they did divorce, he would choose to stay with his father, whom he described as headstrong and prone to overthinking, needing someone to look after him until he smiled more often. Zhou Haikuo recalled his father's rare smiles, which only appeared when he watched Luo Zhimei perform Kunqu operas and received applause.
Zhou Yanlin took his son's words to heart. Later that night, as he looked at the starry sky, remembering his past with Luo Zhimei, he sent her a caring text message along with a photo of the night sky, noting that the stars on Flower Street were more beautiful in person than in pictures. Luo Zhimei responded, urging him, their son, and his father to take care and remember to take their medicine.
Meanwhile, Shao Bingyi massaged Liu Yuling's injured back. Xie Wanghe returned home with some money, easing his family's financial strain. The trio of friends returned to the courtyard, while Xia Fenghua danced and sang, mimicking Chris Lee, and Ma Siyi played her father's guitar, bringing a familiar rhythm to the small courtyard. The next day at school, Xia Fenghua was drawing a portrait of Chris Lee while listening to music.
Shao Xingchi teased her, calling her "tone-deaf" and "can't even sing well," like a "colorblind person" for music, causing her to hit him. Later, Shao Xingchi complained to Xie Wanghe and Zhou Haikuo that whoever marries Xia Fenghua would be "cursed." Outside school, Sun Sanliang showed off his new imported Japanese motorcycle, claiming it cost him two months' pocket money. Xie Wanghe mocked his showing off, and Sun Sanliang, attempting to imitate a movie scene, crashed into a tree.
Still smarting from Xia Fenghua's punch, Shao Xingchi, along with Xie Wanghe and Zhou Haikuo, devised a prank. They posted a fake Chris Lee QQ account on the school's online forum. Xia Fenghua, excited that "Chris" had added her and even sent a greeting, eagerly told her mother, who was unimpressed, asking if it would get her into a top university. Her mother later repaired her ripped jeans, declaring them "fashionable" and promising new shoes.
That weekend, Ma Siyi started a part-time job at By the Canal, delivering food for Zhou Yanlin, who also sent her home with salted pork for her grandmother. Meanwhile, Chen Rui, still hospitalized with a broken leg, was drawing in his bed. His mother, Gu Alian, revealed she had interfered, suggesting Ma Siyi move in with them, claiming it was for Ma Siyi's own good to distance herself from "bad influences" who didn't study.
She proudly recounted her own journey from a "farm girl with no background" to her current success through "perseverance and self-discipline." Infuriated by his mother's actions, Chen Rui angrily knocked over his meal. Elsewhere, Xie Wanghe and his friends were at a cyber cafe, monitoring Xia Fenghua's chat with the fake Chris Lee.
Impersonating "Chris Lee," they sent messages about recording a new album and then invited Xia Fenghua to a concert in Chengdu the following month, promising to wait for her. Xia Fenghua excitedly agreed, confirming her attendance, while the trio laughed, speculating she would soon try to borrow money for the trip. Xie Wanghe joked about his own expensive sneakers, which Shao Xingchi also coveted.
Xia Fenghua then confronted Xie Wanghe and his friends, having noticed their suspicious laughter and realizing their trick. She angrily questioned them, asking if they thought she was a fool, and menacingly asked how many bones a person has and how long it would take for broken ones to heal. She declared that while they didn't have to like Chris Lee, they had no right to mock her choices.
She made a solemn promise to her future self: that one day, Chris Lee would perform in the world's largest stadium, and she would earn enough money to buy a front-row seat to watch her sing. As Xia Fenghua walked home, she reflected on her earlier sighting of Ma Siyi delivering food for Zhou Yanlin. Her mother had dismissed Xia Fenghua's concern, suggesting Ma Siyi was "overthinking" and had "watched too many TV dramas."
Xia Fenghua argued that Ma Siyi tended to keep her troubles to herself, to which her mother advised her to face problems with sincerity rather than avoidance. Later, while sitting at a street stall, a photographer approached Xia Fenghua and complimented her, saying she was very photogenic. That evening, Xia Fenghua went to pick up Ma Siyi.
Noticing the smell of "kitchen grease" and "dish soap" on Ma Siyi, and spotting a book not from the library, Xia Fenghua deduced Ma Siyi's part-time job. Ma Siyi asked her to keep it a secret from her grandmother, as she had promised Zhou Yanlin. Xia Fenghua then proposed a "better method" for Ma Siyi to earn money quickly: becoming a model.
She showed Ma Siyi the photos the street photographer, who also shot Taobao ads, had taken of her, explaining that modeling could earn 800 yuan cash for just a few hours' work. Ma Siyi found the idea "fishy," but Xia Fenghua insisted, showing her own pictures and boasting about her "good looks" that made anyone's photos turn out great.
Admitting she was "scared to go alone" due to fears of a "scam," Xia Fenghua urged Ma Siyi to accompany her to the photographer's city studio, highlighting that modeling offered far better pay than restaurant work. She painted a vivid picture of Ma Siyi becoming a famous model whose pictures would adorn website homepages, signing autographs on the street, and even having Jay Chou beg her to star in his music videos.
Later, Liang Haihong returned to the courtyard with a load of goods, and Ma Siyi immediately offered to help carry them, despite Liang Haihong's protests about the weight. Liang Haihong complained about Xie Wanghe's frequent absences, always "hanging out" instead of being home. Ma Siyi defended him, saying he was intelligent but simply disliked studying. Ma Siyi then revealed her plan to attend Honghuai Normal University, a second-tier school close to home, so she could visit her grandmother every week.
Liang Haihong affectionately called her a "good girl" but then sagely warned that being "too sensible isn't always good," suggesting it could lead to a hard life. Ma Siyi thanked her for the advice before leaving.
