Northwards Episode 7 Recap
> Northwards Recap
Xia Fenghua's mother, Li Yan, asked if she truly wanted to be a model after seeing her engrossed in a magazine. Xia Fenghua expressed excitement about modeling, even mentioning she hoped Ma Siyi could join, as it offered "much faster money than working a regular job." Li Yan then playfully cautioned Xia Fenghua, wondering if she worried the photographer might prefer Ma Siyi and "eliminate" her, comparing it to choosing a Mercedes over a Xiali.
Xia Fenghua was momentarily offended, but Li Yan quickly reassured her that to her, Xia Fenghua was "the prettiest. Even prettier than Gong Li or Zhang Ziyi." When pressed about a hypothetical choice, Xia Fenghua, thinking of Ma Siyi's financial struggles, stated that if only one could be chosen for the ad shoot, she would prefer Ma Siyi, reasoning that she herself had "parents and everything," while Ma Siyi "needs the money more."
Li Yan agreed that considering a friend's needs was appropriate, noting that "money-making opportunities, if lost, can be found again." She then started to ponder about giving up "something else," but quickly dismissed the thought. Soon after, Xie Wanghe and his two friends arrived at Xia Fenghua's house, calling out to her. Though she initially tried to avoid them, they insisted on talking.
Xie Wanghe presented her with a reimbursement voucher for a Chris Lee concert ticket, explaining that from then on, they would reimburse her for any concert tickets she bought. Despite her initial refusal, stating she didn't need their money, Xie Wanghe and his friends expressed that it was "our way of showing we care," and sincerely apologized for their past actions.
Pacified, Xia Fenghua happily accepted the voucher, playfully warning them that if they ever bothered her again, she would "sneak into your rooms at night and shave all your heads one by one." She laughed and told them, "Don't let this happen again." As the boys departed, Li Yan, seeing her daughter's cheerful mood, inquired what made her so happy, to which Xia Fenghua simply replied, "Nothing." Chen Bo joined Gu Alian for a late-night meal.
Gu Alian immediately confronted him about his suggestion to invite Ma Siyi to stay with them, suspecting he was either trying to "kick me out" or "create an opportunity" for Ma Siyi and their son, Chen Rui. Chen Bo defended his intentions, claiming it was purely "for our son's studies" as Ma Siyi was tutoring Chen Rui at the hospital, and he wanted to help her.
Gu Alian, however, accused him of "meddling too much," echoing Chen Rui's complaints about his father's overbearing nature. She argued that boys "need to be given more freedom" and expressed concern about Chen Rui's friends, like Xie Wanghe, believing they would have a "bad influence." Chen Bo countered that "poor grades don't mean they're bad people" and pointed out that Ma Siyi, despite her friendships, still maintained good grades.
Gu Alian then directly addressed Chen Rui's crush on Ma Siyi, stating that this "little spark of our son's puppy love must be strangled at birth. It's non-negotiable." Chen Bo called her "too cold-hearted," arguing that it's "normal for a boy to like a girl," even quoting an ancient saying. He started to reminisce about his own youth, prompting Gu Alian to become suspicious and demand details about his past "puppy love."
Caught off guard, Chen Bo quickly retracted, claiming he "didn't have the chance for puppy love." He tried to reason with her, suggesting a more subtle approach, but Gu Alian refused to listen, demanding he "handle it well" or face the consequences of revealing his past. Chen Bo, defeated, saluted her and promised to "complete the mission." Later, Chen Bo visited Chen Rui at the hospital.
Chen Rui asked his father to deliver a letter to Ma Siyi, but became flustered when Chen Bo teased him about it being a "love letter," insisting they were "just good friends, nothing more." Chen Rui explained he wanted to clarify some "inappropriate" things his mother had said. Chen Bo reassured him, stating he wasn't his mother and that writing love letters was common.
He then shared a personal anecdote about writing letters to a close female classmate in high school, even collecting stamps. Chen Rui then asked if he would become a "second-generation celebrity." Chen Bo replied that while he couldn't predict that, he "surely will have connections in the entertainment industry." Moving to a more serious tone, Chen Bo observed that Chen Rui's generation approached relationships "more casually," while his own generation had to "weigh it carefully in your mind."
When Chen Rui asked what to weigh, Chen Bo explained, "Whether you can make that person happy or not." He elaborated that while confessing feelings only required being "thick-skinned," truly liking someone meant being "clear about what you can do for that person." Chen Rui then pondered if his current inability to provide for someone didn't preclude future capability.
Chen Bo agreed, emphasizing that "if you want to make that person happy, you must do everything you can to make yourself stand out." He concluded that "in a responsible relationship, actions speak louder than words," and that if one couldn't provide "enough support and care on your own," it was "not the time to be in a relationship." Meanwhile, Xie Wanghe spotted Ma Siyi working a part-time job. He confronted her, asking "What are you doing?
Are you working part-time?" Ma Siyi defiantly told him "It's none of your business," and warned him not to tell Granny Ma. Xie Wanghe offered to pay her what she needed, insisting she "go back to school immediately," as this "last year is very important for you." Ma Siyi retorted that he should be the one focusing on school and that she didn't need him to worry about her.
When he threatened to involve her teacher and Granny Ma, she struggled free from his grasp, asking, "You may be able to tell me what to do once or twice, but do you think you can do that for the whole life?" Xie Wanghe confidently declared, "I can!" but then immediately recanted, "I can't," as he watched her walk away. Frustrated, Xie Wanghe rode his bike recklessly, narrowly avoiding a serious accident.
That night, Xie Tiancheng broke into Crippled Sun's office, intending to open a safe. His attempt was interrupted when Crippled Sun returned with a woman. Enraged, Xie Tiancheng confronted him, demanding his money and threatening to "kill you!" Crippled Sun claimed he had no money, but Xie Tiancheng mocked him for living lavishly—"fooling around with a woman" and driving a Mercedes—while evading his debts. An enraged Crippled Sun retorted by accusing Xie Tiancheng of attempting to "break in and steal."
During their physical altercation, Crippled Sun fell, hitting the back of his head on a table corner and losing consciousness amidst the woman's screams of "Murder!" Panic-stricken, Xie Tiancheng fled the Dingsheng Group office. Regretting his impulsive flight, Xie Tiancheng returned to help Crippled Sun, taking him to the hospital where a doctor confirmed his injuries were "not very serious" and advised rest.
However, Crippled Sun took advantage of the situation, accusing Xie Tiancheng of "aggravated assault" and threatening him with prison time, citing his "seven stitches and a mild concussion" and the legal ramifications if he reported it. Xie Tiancheng, while admitting to kicking him, argued that Crippled Sun's fall was his own doing and denied aggravated assault. Crippled Sun pressed on, reminding Xie Tiancheng that he had initiated the violence, and even threatened to add "burglary" to the charges.
Crippled Sun then proposed a deal: "The money I owe you, let's consider it as my medical expenses. This matter between us, let's put an end to it, okay?" Xie Tiancheng furiously rejected this, demanding his money back and offering to "take full responsibility." When Crippled Sun dared him to go to the Public Security Bureau, Xie Tiancheng, in desperation, pulled out a screwdriver and offered it to Crippled Sun, saying, "You got seven stitches.
Take it and make a cut right here. I'll pay you back those seven stitches." When Crippled Sun hesitated, Xie Tiancheng declared he would do it himself, begging for his "life-saving money." Crippled Sun finally admitted his own predicament, revealing he was "a victim too." His supplier had "abandoned his construction project and ran off with the money," leaving him unpaid, and his Mercedes was slated for repossession "the day after tomorrow" to cover debts.
He concluded, "If there's no water upstream, no boat can move," implying they were both stuck in similar financial difficulties. Disheartened by his failure to recover the debt, Xie Tiancheng returned home, his mood noted by Liang Haihong, who subtly inquired about "that money." The next day, Granny Ma and several other mothers, including Li Yan, were selling goods by the river.
Facing a lack of customers, Li Yan lamented their losses, but Granny Ma offered encouragement and began singing a piece from the Kunqu opera "The Peony Pavilion". Mid-song, she felt dizzy, attributing it to her age and inability to catch her breath. Concerned, the other mothers urged her to rest, and one suggested that Xie Wanghe call a traditional Chinese doctor for Granny Ma. The doctor, after examining Granny Ma, spoke gravely to the family.
While initially reassuring Granny Ma that her symptoms were a normal part of aging and prescribing medicine, he later informed the relatives, including Li Yan, that Granny Ma was showing signs of a "cerebrovascular event, in other words, a stroke." He warned that "if it's severe, it could lead to hemiplegia," and that "at her age, if she has a stroke, it'll be a disaster for the family," urging them to "be mentally prepared."
Upon learning the news, Xie Wanghe returned home to his mother, Liang Haihong, who initially chided him for his late return. Xie Wanghe quickly conveyed the doctor's diagnosis and the severe implications of a stroke for Granny Ma and her family. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive hospital examination and constant care, meaning Granny Ma "can't work at her stall anymore." Liang Haihong worried about their financial survival.
Xie Wanghe then proposed to "figure out a way to handle the money issue" by taking a "one-year leave of absence" from school to earn money. Liang Haihong strongly opposed, forbidding him from dropping out and insisting that his father would soon collect outstanding debts, which would resolve their financial woes. She told him to "only need to study hard and bring home your diploma. After that, you can do whatever you want. I won't interfere anymore."
Later that night, Xie Tiancheng, burdened by his financial failures, sat on the rooftop. Xie Wanghe joined him and asked how he earned his "first bucket of gold." Xie Tiancheng reminisced about going to Guangdong with Mao Tian at his son's age to buy silk scarves and selling them for a significant profit, which enabled them to buy their first small ship. Xie Wanghe then broached the topic of taking a one-year leave of absence.
Simultaneously, in her own home, Granny Ma spoke with Ma Siyi, who was still studying late. Granny Ma gently acknowledged Ma Siyi's part-time work was "for the family's sake" but cautioned her about sacrificing her studies. She highlighted Ma Siyi's good grades and the lost opportunity if she failed to get into college, adding that she would feel she "let your father down."
Back on the rooftop, Xie Wanghe explained to his father the high costs of stroke medication and care, arguing that Ma Siyi's family couldn't afford it, even if she went to college, necessitating his proactive financial planning. Xie Tiancheng tried to dismiss these "troublesome matters," insisting that adults would handle them. Xie Wanghe challenged his father's passive optimism, pointing out the family business's decline due to the new highway and his father's lack of a current plan.
When Xie Tiancheng dismissed the idea of making money as easy, Xie Wanghe confidently asserted he had several business plans, including an "Online smart question bank" that could help students and make him "the richest person in Honghuai." Xie Tiancheng, however, told him to "focus on getting into college" and not worry, asserting he could still provide for the family.
Xie Wanghe expressed his "disappointment" in his father's lack of ambition, encouraging him not to lose his "aspiration," and reminding him that "starting a new business won't be a problem" if he had the spirit. Xie Wanghe then had a premonition that his mother was awake, attributing it to their "telepathy," though Xie Tiancheng, preoccupied, admitted his "telepathy" wasn't working. Xie Tiancheng then confided in his son, admitting, "I'm unable to do anything but seafaring."
Xie Wanghe reassured him, "If you don't know, then learn," expressing confidence in his father's intelligence and ability to succeed with determination. Meanwhile, Liang Haihong saw them sitting together under the stars and felt a sense of gratification. The following morning, Xia Fenghua's mother, Li Yan, woke her, complaining about her laziness and the poor business at the market, suggesting they skip the weekend stall.
Tired, Xia Fenghua rose to greet Ma Siyi, who inquired about the reliability of the photographer Xia Fenghua had mentioned. After confirming his credibility, Xia Fenghua called the photographer, Hai, who requested an in-person meeting in the city. Ma Siyi was hesitant, but Xia Fenghua explained the necessity of a face-to-face meeting for modeling.
When Ma Siyi expressed concern about too many people knowing, Xia Fenghua reassured her, stating that "being a model isn't illegal" and that "the more money we make, the more glorious it is," suggesting they tell teachers they were helping a relative's shop. Ultimately convinced, Ma Siyi joined Xia Fenghua, eager to "make some money." Elsewhere, Xie Wanghe presented his business plan for an "online smart question bank" to Zhou Haikuo, seeking his assessment.
Zhou Haikuo immediately identified two critical aspects: "the quality of the questions and intelligent data processing." Xie Wanghe proposed sourcing questions from major high schools and relying on Zhou Haikuo for the programming. When Shao Xiaopang, another friend, voiced concerns about the workload, Xie Wanghe clarified they would start small with "existing programming templates" and later "hire programmers from outside" once they had capital.
Zhou Haikuo then raised the issue of server infrastructure, noting that while "virtual servers online" existed, "to guarantee storage and internet speed, you must rent a dedicated server," implying a trip to Beijing. Xie Wanghe stated he had already discussed it with his father, who "didn't agree, but he didn't object either." Zhou Haikuo doubted his mother's approval, but Xie Wanghe remained resolute, citing Bill Gates's example and asserting, "To do great things, we must all forge ahead through difficulties.
Anyway, I must do this." Zhou Haikuo then asked how he planned to spend the money once it was earned. Shao Xiaopang immediately declared he would "First, pay off debts" for his mother. Zhou Haikuo joked about buying "the latest model" phone and using it to make Xie Wanghe jealous by pretending to call a "darling."
