Northwards Episode 9 Recap
> Northwards Recap
Mr. Xu was complaining about Xie Wanghe's ambition to start a business, asking, "You think it's that easy to start a business?" Xie Wanghe retorted that while his academics weren't stellar, he was much better at business. He insisted he was just taking a break, not dropping out, and didn't care for a diploma if he wasn't going to work for others. Mr. Xu told him to get his parents' signed application for a leave of absence.
Later, Mr. Xu lamented to Principal Wu that Xie Wanghe, a high school senior, wanted to take a leave of absence to start a test prep center. Principal Wu, however, found the idea "kind of interesting" and "pretty good" and suitable for a non-profit school program to boost college admission rates. When Mr. Xu pointed out it was Xie Wanghe's original idea, Principal Wu praised Xie Wanghe for his "selfless contribution."
Xie Wanghe was furious upon learning from Mr. Xu that the school had appropriated his test prep center idea, which Mr. Xu called a non-profit initiative for the greater good. Xie Wanghe, however, declared, "I don't care about honor. I want money." Mr. Xu dismissed his complaints, giving him a cola as compensation. In retaliation, Xie Wanghe mischievously filled Mr. Xu's drawer with instant noodles.
He later confided in Xia Fenghua about the school stealing his idea, but reassured her he had a "backup plan": an online smart question bank. He described it as an "online tutor" with a vast collection of questions that would analyze a student's weaknesses and adapt training accordingly, believing it was the optimal choice for anyone aspiring to college.
He announced his intention to take a leave of absence and travel directly to Beijing to rent a server and explore Zhongguancun for potential investors. Xia Fenghua, worried, offered him financial support, reminding him she had spent his money as a child. Xie Wanghe gently refused, saying, "What's yours is yours. I can't be spending your money."
He then promised that after she finished her modeling commitments, she could use her earnings to invest in his company, and he would make her "President Xia." Later, Ma Siyi visited Chen Rui in the hospital to copy his notes. Chen Rui, distracted, hesitantly asked if she was bothered by his mother's comments the previous week. Ma Siyi reassured him, saying she wouldn't have come if she truly minded.
Meanwhile, Zhou Haikuo, discussing the new online venture with Xie Wanghe, revealed he had sold his gaming account for 10,000 yuan to buy a suitable computer and server, presenting it as initial capital. Xie Wanghe, deeply touched, insisted that this "angel investment" be clearly accounted for first from their future earnings, stating that "even brothers settle accounts clearly," to which Zhou Haikuo readily agreed. The trio found a free boat cabin to use as their office.
Xie Wanghe enthusiastically declared the official launch of their "online smart question bank startup," likening their humble beginnings to those of tech giants who started in garages. He then announced he had bought a train ticket to Beijing, where he planned to rent a server and visit Zhongguancun to meet with internet "bigwigs" to secure investment.
While his friends questioned the urgency, suggesting he wait until after the college entrance exam, Xie Wanghe dismissed the idea for himself, citing his poor academic performance. He then grandly promised that in Beijing, they would rent a prestigious office with individual rooms for each of them. However, their excitement was cut short when they arrived home to find Shao Bingyi waiting.
Shao Bingyi angrily chastised Shao Xingchi for being out late and not focusing on his studies, implicitly blaming Xie Wanghe for distracting him. Shao Xingchi tried to defend himself, but Xie Wanghe quickly intervened, apologizing to Shao Bingyi and then instructing both Shao Xingchi and Zhou Haikuo to concentrate on their academics, assuring them he would handle his own entrepreneurial journey. Later, Xie Wanghe sat alone on a rooftop, deep in thought, grappling with self-doubt about his entrepreneurial path.
Xia Fenghua found him there and, after a brief exchange where she asked if he thought he was annoying, confessed her feelings, saying, "I cherish you." Xie Wanghe, however, brushed it off as "terrible acting" and teased her about scaring people and needing to be more ladylike as a future star. They continued to playfully bicker as they enjoyed the evening view. Unbeknownst to them, Ma Siyi witnessed their interaction from afar and silently walked away.
The campus sports meet commenced, notably sponsored by Dingsheng Group, Sun Sanliang’s family business. Sun Sanliang immediately began provoking Xie Wanghe by disparaging his father’s refusal to pay transportation fees. Xie Wanghe retorted, calling Sun Sanliang's father "shameless," escalating into a confrontation that Mr. Xu quickly defused. The two groups then agreed to settle their rivalry in the 4x100 relay race: the losing team's members would ride their bicycles home without seats.
During the relay, Sun Sanliang deliberately tripped Xie Wanghe, causing him to tumble into a pile of white powder, ensuring Sun Sanliang’s team won the race. To clean off the powder, Shao Xingchi and Zhou Haikuo took Xie Wanghe to the school rooftop for an impromptu shower. Unbeknownst to them, Sun Sanliang orchestrated a live broadcast, projecting their naked antics onto the main screen in the sports field, much to the shock and amusement of the entire student body.
It was Xia Fenghua who, upon seeing the broadcast, frantically rushed to the rooftop to alert them. After the chaotic incident, Sun Sanliang, surprisingly, commented to Xie Wanghe that Xia Fenghua was a "good girl" and expressed envy that Xie Wanghe had such a loyal friend. Ma Siyi echoed this, advising Xie Wanghe to treat Xia Fenghua better, revealing that despite her tough exterior, Xia Fenghua was "quite girly deep down." Xie Wanghe, however, appeared oblivious to these hints.
That evening, Xia Fenghua spoke with her mother on the phone, initially proposing to give half of her 10,000 yuan earnings to Ma Siyi, whose grandmother refused to let her model, to help with her studies. Her mother readily agreed, saying the money was hers to use as she wished. Her mother then reminisced about a gift Xie Wanghe gave Xia Fenghua in elementary school, teasingly mentioning the money would be her "dowry" for the "Xie family."
Separately, Xie Wanghe presented Mr. Xu with a signed leave of absence application, asserting his parents' approval. He hinted at a new, secret venture, assuring Mr. Xu he would return in a year if it failed, and even if it succeeded, as "No. 7 High School will always be my home." Mr. Xu, though skeptical, ultimately signed the application. Xia Fenghua went to Hai's studio for a photoshoot. Hai, impressed by her natural appearance, chose a women's outfit for her.
While getting her makeup done, Xia Fenghua mentioned that she had never really worn makeup before, except for secretly trying her neighbor's lipstick as a child. Hai praised the finished photos, describing her as "pure and innocent with a touch of rebellion," and immediately offered her the lead role in a sneaker advertisement scheduled for the next day.
He insisted she stay overnight in a hotel room at the studio to ensure she was well-rested, brushing aside her concerns about her mother worrying. Excited by this career advancement, Xia Fenghua called her mother to inform her of the overnight stay. Later that night, Hai unexpectedly arrived at her hotel room, claiming an important client, thoroughly impressed by her photos, insisted on treating her to dinner.
He pressured her to go downstairs for a few drinks, but Xia Fenghua refused, citing exhaustion and her inability to drink alcohol. Hai then forcibly entered her room, dismissing her concerns about the contract not including client meetings and asserting, "You are just having dinner, not sleeping with them." He physically tried to drag her out, accusing her of being ungrateful for the money and comparing her situation to "international models" who "entertain clients." Xia Fenghua desperately screamed for help.
Just as Hai was manhandling Xia Fenghua, Xie Wanghe suddenly appeared, punched Hai, and quickly pulled Xia Fenghua away. They ran, but Xia Fenghua's leg, injured during the struggle with Hai, gave out, and she collapsed. Xie Wanghe offered to find a pharmacy for her, but Xia Fenghua, still visibly shaken and clutching his arm, was too scared to be left alone. Recognizing her fear and pain, Xie Wanghe picked her up and carried her on his back.
Sensing her suppressed emotions, he gently told her, "If you want to cry, just let it out. I won't laugh at you." Xia Fenghua, still reeling from the ordeal, warned him that if he told anyone what happened, she would "kill him."
