Sunshine by My Side Episode 31 Recap
> Sunshine by My Side Recap
Sheng Yang’s parents, Luo Meijuan and Sheng Xiangqian, returned home unexpectedly early, much to Jian Bing’s alarm. Jian Bing, who was hiding in Sheng Yang’s room, worried about how she would leave, prompting Sheng Yang to reassure her and ask why she was so nervous. Jian Bing, calling herself Sheng Yang’s aunt, warned him not to cause trouble by speaking nonsense.
Sheng Yang, who had already drawn the curtains, then addressed his parents, telling them he had a very important announcement, which he presented with a theatrical flair. His parents, curious but cautious given Luo Meijuan’s high blood pressure, pressed him for details. Sheng Yang then falsely announced that he was planning to get a cat. Both Luo Meijuan and Sheng Xiangqian immediately rejected the idea, citing the smell and mess, and saying that raising Sheng Yang was already difficult enough.
Sheng Yang quickly agreed not to get a cat and retreated to his room, telling his parents he was tired. Once in his room, he quietly informed Jian Bing that he had "handled" his parents, asking her why she hadn't wanted him to reveal their relationship earlier. Meanwhile, inside Sheng Yang’s room, Jian Bing discovered an album filled with her portraits, each capturing different expressions, along with a large, framed photograph of her.
Deeply moved, she admired Sheng Yang's artistic talent. Luo Meijuan, suspicious of Sheng Yang’s strange behavior, including the drawn curtains, and having overheard him speaking, approached his room, followed by Sheng Xiangqian. Despite Sheng Yang’s attempts to pretend he was sleeping, his parents pushed open the door. Jian Bing froze, terrified of being discovered.
Sheng Yang tried to dismiss his parents, claiming he was watching a movie and demanding privacy, but his father teased him about "ordinary movies" and advised moderation. Sheng Xiangqian then distracted Luo Meijuan by mentioning his repaired recorder, eventually convincing her to leave Sheng Yang's room. After Sheng Yang’s parents left, Jian Bing continued to admire the detailed portraits, asking why he had only drawn her.
Sheng Yang confessed he had been drawing her for ten years, always trying to capture her beauty, and stating his desire to draw her for his entire life. He likened his enduring affection to Brahms’ four-decade-long secret love for Clara, the wife of his mentor Schumann. Although Brahms wrote many love letters, he never sent them, instead pouring his deepest sentiments into his Symphony No. 1 in C Major, which took him 21 years to compose.
Moved by his deep sincerity, Jian Bing, after some hesitation, agreed to be his girlfriend, suggesting they "try running together" since their "pace was the same." That night, Jian Bing made herself comfortable in Sheng Yang’s bed, placing the sketchbook beside her pillow, while Sheng Yang slept on the sofa. Sheng Yang, having sworn he had never been in a relationship before, stood guard at the door, ensuring his parents wouldn't re-enter.
Jian Bing eventually asked him to turn off the light so she could sleep, and they exchanged goodnights. Separately, Jian Shuang tentatively suggested to Hao Junjie that they "try" being boyfriend and girlfriend. Hao Junjie, excited, misinterpreted her meaning, leading to a humorous exchange about passing the time together, during which he enthusiastically offered to teach her a new mobile game, much to her exasperation.
The next morning, Jian Bing, needing to go to work after her business trip, prepared to leave. Sheng Yang, ever vigilant, cautiously checked the situation with his parents. He found his father, Sheng Xiangqian, in the kitchen preparing breakfast and his mother, Luo Meijuan, relaxing with a facial mask that Jian Bing had given her.
Taking advantage of his mother’s closed eyes, Sheng Yang volunteered to take out the trash, using it as a cover to escort Jian Bing out of the house. Outside, Sheng Yang tried to get a kiss goodbye from Jian Bing, who was cautious about being seen by neighbors.
However, just as they shared a hug and a quick kiss, Luo Meijuan emerged from the house to take out the trash and paused, making eye contact with Jian Bing for a tense three seconds before returning inside without a word. Jian Bing, worried about Luo Meijuan’s reaction, urged Sheng Yang to go back and pacify her. Sheng Yang returned home cheerfully, but Luo Meijuan ignored him completely.
Sheng Xiangqian, feeling confused and stating that his wife's attitude was the family's attitude, advised Sheng Yang to bide his time, suggesting that later he could threaten to move out to force Luo Meijuan to accept his relationship with Jian Bing, though he also scolded Sheng Yang for frightening his mother. Meanwhile, Jian Bing received an urgent message from Jian Shuang, informing her that their father, Jian Zhongde, had been hospitalized due to a sudden myocardial infarction.
Jian Bing rushed to the People's Hospital. The doctor recommended bypass surgery, but Jian Zhongde stubbornly refused, declaring he was tired of living and wanted to die. He demanded that his "son-in-law," Xue Yiming, be brought to him for a drink. Jian Bing, deeply angered by her father's selfish attitude and his mention of her mother, vehemently told him he had no right to speak of her mother.
Jian Zhongde continued to cause a scene, yelling for a private room with a private bathroom and demanding restaurant-quality food instead of the hospital’s fare. The next morning, Sheng Yang prepared breakfast for his parents, but they refused to come out, so he left for work. Meanwhile, Hao Junjie informed Fang Mu about Jian Bing’s father being hospitalized.
Hao Junjie urged Fang Mu to visit Jian Bing at the hospital, but Fang Mu firmly refused, explaining that Jian Bing had already clearly rejected him previously, and he didn't want to cause her any more trouble or give her false hope. Hao Junjie, however, kept pressing him, highlighting Jian Bing’s tough situation, as she was forced to care for her "scumbag" father who had made her cry. Later, Sheng Yang, hiding in his room, called Jian Bing.
During their conversation, Sheng Yang reassured her that his parents were "fine" and that their family decision would follow his choice. Jian Bing, however, expressed insecurity, fearing Sheng Yang might abandon her for someone better due to his exceptional qualities.
Sheng Yang playfully responded by saying if she did leave, he would work hard, earn a lot of money, and "fool around with girls" to spite her, then jokingly warned her that he was a "diamond in the rough" and she’d regret not holding onto him. Jian Bing, in turn, teased him, asking if she was merely attracted to his good looks.
Just then, Luo Meijuan called Sheng Yang out of his room, making him suspect she wanted praise for a new dress. Luo Meijuan and Sheng Xiangqian then sat Sheng Yang down for a serious discussion. Luo Meijuan, after much thought, told him it was time for him to move out. Sheng Yang was shocked, asking why they were suddenly so against Jian Bing being his girlfriend when they had previously seemed to like her.
His parents argued that he and Jian Bing were fundamentally incompatible due to their significant age and experience gap. Luo Meijuan painted a picture of a challenging future, citing financial disparities where Jian Bing was accustomed to first-class travel and Michelin-starred restaurants, while Sheng Yang could only offer economy flights and roadside stalls. Sheng Xiangqian added that Jian Bing, as a successful director and boss, was too accomplished for Sheng Yang, suggesting she would have to be "patronizing" in conversation.
He reiterated the importance of being "a good match," a traditional concept passed down through generations, although he humorously conceded that age gaps, even significant ones, were becoming more common, citing figures like Vera Wang. Luo Meijuan ultimately expressed her deep concern that Sheng Yang, being strong-willed, would overwork himself trying to bridge the gap, leading to immense personal suffering. Despite their arguments and worries, Sheng Yang remained resolute.
He declared that his relationship with Jian Bing was his choice and his destiny, stating that he would willingly endure any hardship to be with her, regardless of their approval. Luo Meijuan concluded the discussion by stating it was a decision, not a negotiation, and that he should move out so they could be out of sight and mind, leaving him to walk his own path from now on.
Sheng Xiangqian emotionally lamented this decision, questioning how a child could be expected to walk their own path after being guided by their parents for so long, and expressed his sadness at the thought of separating.
