Northwards Episode 8 Recap
> Northwards Recap
Xia Fenghua and Ma Siyi arrived at photographer Hai's studio, where they were both stunned by the impressive environment and equipment, feeling as though they had stepped into a new world. Hai engaged them in a brief conversation, inquiring if they had any prior experience shooting commercials or signing with an agency, to which Xia Fenghua replied that it was their first time.
Hai explained that professional models are typically signed to agencies and have managers, and he sincerely invited them to join his company. He then went upstairs to retrieve a contract, telling a colleague that he had two "fresh meat" models, one of whom was a "real gem" with fair skin, a beautiful face, and long legs.
When Hai returned with the contracts, he informed them that each would receive a 10,000 yuan signing bonus if they signed that day, along with 800 yuan per ad and a guarantee of at least one ad per week. Xia Fenghua eagerly reached for a pen. Ma Siyi, however, suggested they take the contract home to discuss with their families first, expressing concern about signing on their first meeting.
Xia Fenghua dismissed her worries, stating that her parents wouldn't understand the industry anyway, and pushed to sign, warning that delaying would reduce their bonus. Ma Siyi highlighted the 50,000 yuan penalty clause, but Hai reassured them that it would only be triggered if they deliberately breached the contract and that all work arranged would be legal.
Still, Ma Siyi wished Xie Wanghe could review it, but Xia Fenghua snatched the pen and signed her name on the contract without hesitation. Meanwhile, the mothers in the courtyard were concerned about Granny Ma's health. Li Yan visited Granny Ma, offering a free health check-up slot she'd received from a middle school classmate who sells insurance. Granny Ma was reluctant, insisting she was fine after seeing a traditional Chinese medicine doctor.
Li Yan persuaded her, and Liu Yuling was asked to take Granny Ma to the hospital, borrowing Qian the vegetable seller's three-wheeler for speed. Later, Liu Yuling reported to Liang Haihong and Li Yan that Granny Ma's blood pressure and cholesterol were high, though other indicators were normal. She felt the situation wasn't ideal, noting that Granny Ma, who used to be full of energy, was now easily tired after just a half-day check-up.
To prepare for any emergencies, Liu Yuling suggested they conduct a stroke drill. Li Yan then pretended to be an unconscious Granny Ma, and Liang Haihong carried her from the courtyard towards the bridge. A passerby was surprised, but Liang Haihong explained it was just a drill. Xia Fenghua, seeing her mother being carried, initially panicked until she learned it was a "punishment" for Liang Haihong losing a card game.
After reaching the bridge, they concluded it took at least three minutes, and factoring in time to find a car and get to the hospital, they would need a car on standby and a stretcher. When Li Yan returned home, Xia Fenghua proudly presented the 10,000 yuan and the signed contract, boasting about her new modeling career. Li Yan, seeing the dense text of the contract, felt uneasy and immediately took it to Xie Wanghe for review.
Liang Haihong expressed skepticism, remarking that she would have believed it if Ma Siyi had signed a modeling contract, but Fenghua seemed "frumpy." Li Yan defended her daughter's beauty. Xie Wanghe carefully reviewed the contract, noting that while it seemed fine on the surface, with a clause guaranteeing legal work, there was a 50,000 yuan penalty for breach of contract. Li Yan was distraught, fearing they were dealing with scammers.
Xie Wanghe promised to accompany Xia Fenghua the next time she went to the agency to assess the situation. Relieved, Li Yan praised Xie Wanghe for always being dependable. Overjoyed with her earnings, Xia Fenghua told her mother she wanted to buy a new, latest-model phone for her dad, a new watch for her mom (as her old one was worn out), and a 150-yuan lipstick for herself.
Li Yan suggested saving the money for her dowry, but Xia Fenghua insisted on buying gifts to make her parents proud, especially wanting her dad to show off his new phone to Uncle Xie. Li Yan ultimately agreed to the watch and lipstick but not the phone for her dad, but Xia Fenghua persisted. Li Yan reminded her to always discuss important matters with the family to avoid being taken advantage of.
Meanwhile, Xia Maotian and Xie Tiancheng were drinking by the river. Xia Maotian lamented the decline of the Grand Canal, noting fewer boats and more cars on the highway, making him feel anxious. He declared the Grand Canal was "finished" and urged Xie Tiancheng to sell the ship and find an alternative livelihood, suggesting fish farming or a farmstay, citing an expert from Shanghai.
Xie Tiancheng tried to remain optimistic, recalling the canal's long history and resilience, but Xia Maotian confessed he was "struggling to hold on." He reminded Xie Tiancheng of the overdue dividends and his own family's financial difficulties, particularly Xia Fenghua's college tuition. In another part of the courtyard, Shao Bingyi returned home dejected and asked Liu Yuling about their remaining savings, expressing a desire to self-publish a book.
Liu Yuling hesitated, reminding him of their son's impending college education and the need to save money. Shao Bingyi then decided to confront Xie Tiancheng for the overdue dividends. Liu Yuling tried to dissuade him, suggesting that Xie Tiancheng must be in a tough spot if he hadn't paid. Shao Bingyi countered that Xie Tiancheng was still running boats, implying he should have money.
Liu Yuling offered to learn embroidery to earn money, but Shao Bingyi, needing immediate cash, dismissed the idea. Suddenly, Shao Bingyi cried out in pain, having strained his back, and his son rushed to help him. Xie Tiancheng found himself increasingly swayed by the collective sentiment. Shao Bingyi, after calming down, discussed the overdue dividends with Xie Tiancheng.
Shao Bingyi said he needed the money urgently, especially after hearing Crippled Sun had sold his car and fled, leaving his real estate projects unfinished. Xie Tiancheng promised to resolve the dividend issue within a week, assuring Shao Bingyi that he would try to recover the money owed to him by Crippled Sun and had a backup plan if that failed.
Xia Maotian reiterated his belief that the canal business was doomed and urged Xie Tiancheng to sell the ship to avoid further losses. Xie Tiancheng acknowledged that the ship, once a "golden goose," had become a "hot potato" and that everyone now wanted him to sell it. He confessed his regret for not heeding Haikuo's father's warning about the highway's impact on canal business years ago.
Later, Xie Wanghe joined his father on the rooftop, finding him in a contemplative mood. Xie Tiancheng shared his decision to sell the ship, prioritizing the community's interests over his own. Xie Wanghe, observing his father's struggle, offered to take a year off school to earn money and cover any potential shortfalls if his father chose to continue running the ship.
However, Xie Tiancheng, remembering his own father's independence, refused his son's help, stating that the men of the Xie family had broad shoulders and would bear their burdens themselves. The next day in class, Mr. Xu noticed Xie Wanghe engrossed in a notebook during a lesson on trajectory equations. Assuming Xie Wanghe was drawing, Mr. Xu confiscated the notebook, only to discover it contained a detailed "Test Prep Center Business Plan."
Surprised by Xie Wanghe's seriousness, Mr. Xu watched as the student declared his ambition to become the "richest person in Honghuai." After class, Xie Wanghe approached Mr. Xu, proposing to take a year off from school to pursue his entrepreneurial venture, promising to return and complete his high school diploma. Mr. Xu strongly objected, emphasizing that while a high school diploma might not be worth much on its own, lacking one would make it "hard to get anywhere" in society.
Xie Wanghe insisted that "time waits for no one" and that he needed to help his family, whose financial situation was dire. He clarified that his father did not object to his plan, but Mr. Xu maintained his opposition, urging Xie Wanghe to focus on his studies. Xie Wanghe retorted that he would be his own boss and would not need a diploma.
