Sunshine by My Side Episode 21 Recap
> Sunshine by My Side Recap
The hockey match neared its conclusion, with the Jiangbei Music Academy facing off against the Jiangnan Joint University Team. As the first round was ending, Jiangnan Joint University's No. 33, Pei Liwei, scored, tying the score at 1-1. The second round saw continued fierce competition. After Hao Junjie's long shot was blocked, his teammate Jian Shuang skillfully stole the puck, advanced, and scored, bringing the score to 2-1 in their favor. During the match, Xue Yiming persistently called Jian Bing.
Unable to hear over the stadium noise, she eventually stepped outside to answer. An agitated Xue Yiming demanded she return to the company, criticizing her for dating a younger man and bringing him into their workplace without notice. Jian Bing explained Sheng Yang was there for professional work, but Xue Yiming continued his tirade, accusing Sheng Yang of using her for money.
Citing the age difference and speculating about Sheng Yang's ordinary background, he contemptuously predicted Sheng Yang would abandon her in three months once he felt he had gotten his money's worth. Jian Bing, hurt, called him cruel, but he insisted he was only trying to protect her. Worried, Jian Bing left the game, asking Fang Mu to stream the rest for her. Back at the office, Xue Yiming dismissed other employees to confront Sheng Yang alone.
He introduced himself as Jian Bing's inseparable family member and business partner, pointedly calling Sheng Yang an outsider. He aggressively questioned Sheng Yang about his age and background. Sheng Yang calmly stated he was 26, a visual design graduate with several years of experience, and also revealed his father is a cleaner and his mother a saleswoman. He defended Jian Bing’s character against Xue Yiming’s dismissive remarks and made it clear he was there to work, not to socialize.
Frustrated, Xue Yiming offered to pay Sheng Yang double to leave, but Sheng Yang refused. Jian Bing arrived and pulled Xue Yiming aside, insisting Sheng Yang was there for a project. Xue Yiming berated her for choosing a partner who allegedly lacked a stable job and relied on her financially. When he declared that romantic relationships were forbidden in the workplace, Jian Bing highlighted his hypocrisy by referencing his own relationship with Liang Shanshan.
Xue Yiming then accused Jian Bing of divorcing him because she had already met Sheng Yang. Enraged, Jian Bing defiantly declared her feelings for Sheng Yang, admitting she intentionally brought him to the company so she could see him every day, before storming out. Meanwhile, the third round of the hockey match grew more intense. Jian Shuang was taken down by an opponent in what was ruled a "reasonable collision."
She sustained a fractured ankle and a full-layer meniscus tear, ending her game and likely her hockey career. The match continued, and Jiangnan Joint University tied the game at 2-2. After a scoreless overtime, the game went to a penalty shootout. Under immense pressure, Hao Junjie faked out the opposing goalie and scored the winning goal, securing a 3-2 victory for Jiangbei Music Academy. At the office, Liang Shanshan found Xue Yiming fuming.
He complained about Jian Bing's choice of partner, dismissing Sheng Yang's looks as useless and disapproving of his background and the age gap. Sensing Xue Yiming's lingering attachment to Jian Bing, Liang Shanshan accused him of using her as a backup and demanded he choose between them. When he failed to respond, she left in frustration. At the hospital, Fang Mu told Hao Junjie the severity of Jian Shuang's injury.
Despite Fang Mu's suggestion to return to his studies, Hao Junjie insisted on staying to tell her the good news himself. He joyfully informed a recovering Jian Shuang that they had won 3-2 and that he had scored two goals. When Jian Shuang needed the restroom, Hao Junjie immediately helped her, to the amusement of their visiting teammates. Later, the client, Mr. He, expressed great satisfaction with the new advertisement, commissioning an additional version and offering to pay for two.
He invited Jian Bing to a celebratory dinner, but she declined, citing editing work and a mild concussion. Xue Yiming and Liang Shanshan went in her place. Jian Bing then shared the good news with Sheng Yang and transferred him an advance payment. Sheng Yang hesitated to accept, but she insisted. She then suggested they celebrate with dinner, casually mentioning they would have to take the subway.
At the hospital, Fang Mu, as Jian Shuang's uncle, insisted that Hao Junjie must inform Jian Bing about the injury. Hao Junjie resisted, explaining Jian Shuang's desire not to burden her sister, but Fang Mu was firm. Elsewhere, Pan Rou reluctantly attended a blind date, only to spot her acquaintance Song Chen at another table with a woman. Song Chen playfully intercepted Pan Rou as she tried to leave, teasing her about being on a blind date.
Annoyed, she retorted about his own date, and he jokingly chalked up their constant encounters to fate. Returning to the office for a bottle of wine, Liang Shanshan overheard Jian Bing and Sheng Yang planning to take the subway to dinner. She pulled Jian Bing aside, questioning why she brought Sheng Yang into the company after previously rejecting him.
Noting that Jian Bing never takes the subway and remarking on the intensity in Sheng Yang's eyes when he looks at her, Liang Shanshan advised her not to let unimportant things get in the way of a real connection.
