Sunshine by My Side Episode 34 Recap
> Sunshine by My Side Recap
Luo Meijuan arrived at Jian Bing's door late at night, hearing Jian Zhongde yelling inside. Jian Bing came out to explain that her father was upset and refusing a heart bypass surgery. Luo Meijuan stated her purpose directly: she believed Sheng Yang and Jian Bing were too different and incompatible. She admitted to kicking Sheng Yang out of their home, hoping he would give up, as she feared he would be hurt and his future relationships would suffer.
Sheng Yang, however, proved to be very stubborn, so much so that he didn't even tell Jian Bing he had been kicked out. Luo Meijuan expressed her anger, not about Jian Bing and Sheng Yang's relationship itself, but because Jian Bing, whom she considered a best friend and sister, had hidden such a significant matter from her. Luo Meijuan questioned why Jian Bing, given her excellent eligibility, wouldn't find someone more equally matched in all aspects.
Jian Bing explained that she hadn't intended to start a new relationship at that time. Sheng Yang, however, had remembered her from an advertisement she filmed for his father over a decade ago, believing she brought light into his life. Jian Bing felt a sense of fate in their unexpected reunion after so many years, noting Sheng Yang's persistent presence in her life. She stated they were "just trying" to date.
Jian Bing elaborated that while a young man might have just one reason to like an older woman, a woman needs many reasons to decide to date a man ten years her junior. She acknowledged Sheng Yang was a good man and her decision was difficult, but she promised not to hurt him, regardless of their relationship's outcome.
Luo Meijuan, though still slightly concerned as a mother, affirmed that as an elder, she respected their feelings and understood Jian Bing's perspective as a woman. She had primarily come to assess Jian Bing's determination. While acknowledging their strong connection, she cautioned about the significant age and financial disparities, foreseeing many difficulties. She stressed that if either of them hesitated, it would deeply hurt the other, and as Sheng Yang's mother, she feared for her son.
However, after observing Sheng Yang's efforts, she realized he was not weak; he was working hard and actively planning their future, not just talking about it. She urged Jian Bing to be honest about her commitment, promising her blessing if Jian Bing was truly determined. Luo Meijuan then inquired if Sheng Yang knew about Jian Zhongde's condition, to which Jian Bing replied he didn't.
Though Jian Bing insisted she could manage with a hired nanny and nurse, Luo Meijuan suggested Sheng Yang could provide more meticulous care, but Jian Bing quickly dismissed the idea, stating she hadn't planned for Sheng Yang to care for her father. Meanwhile, Sheng Yang had a heart-to-heart talk with his father, Sheng Xiangqian, detailing his relationship with Jian Bing.
He described it as the kind of relationship he had always desired—one built on mutual respect, independence, and devoid of suspicion or jealousy, where he cherished every moment. After dinner, as Sheng Yang was leaving with Sheng Xiangqian, they encountered Luo Meijuan at the door. Luo Meijuan urged him to move back home, which he promised to do that night. She then instructed him to go to Jian Bing's house to help.
Sheng Yang immediately agreed, despite Luo Meijuan playfully scolding him for seemingly forgetting his mother after getting a girlfriend. At Jian Bing's home, she attempted to serve Jian Zhongde a light meal. However, Jian Zhongde refused, insisting he had a dinner appointment and would not eat her bland food, even calling it "pig's food." He boastfully threatened to call his "son-in-law" to pay for a hot pot meal. Jian Bing sternly warned him against calling.
Just then, Sheng Yang arrived, witnessing Jian Bing's frustration. He questioned her harsh tone with her father and suggested they resolve their differences calmly. Jian Bing, exasperated, told Sheng Yang that he couldn't help her with this issue and that she needed to handle it alone. Sheng Yang persisted, reminding her that his mother hadn't tried to break them up and that he had told her they were "just trying."
Jian Bing reacted with dismay, questioning what he meant by "just trying" and "uncertain," before walking away from him. Dejected, Sheng Yang returned home and shut himself in his room, looking dispirited. Sheng Xiangqian, seeing his son's gloomy mood, sat by his door to comfort him and share his secrets for pursuing women.
Sheng Xiangqian used the analogy of a mortise and tenon joint, explaining how parts fit together perfectly without nails or glue, similar to how two people adapt to each other in a relationship. He then offered four simple points about love: first, if they are both single, his wife Luo Meijuan would approve; second, if they truly love each other, nothing else matters, and Luo Meijuan would also approve.
He emphasized that true love is visible in one's eyes and actions, not just in deceptive words, urging Sheng Yang to look for love in Jian Bing's gaze and her actions. He then recalled how, when he pursued Luo Meijuan, he faced opposition and was beaten by other students and hooligans but never retaliated because "making the first hit costs money," which amusingly led to them affording their first color TV.
He stated that all obstacles to a simple and pure emotion are "evil forces" that should never be yielded to. Third, if the first two points are met, one should pursue love relentlessly, never turning back even when facing immense obstacles, as long as they remain true to their original intentions. Fourth, he admitted his experience was limited and Sheng Yang would have to figure out the rest.
He added a practical tip about soaking feet in hot water, suggesting Sheng Yang could do it with Jian Bing to promote both health and intimacy. Sheng Xiangqian concluded by advising Sheng Yang to face the relationship's outcome with a "normal mindset." Sheng Yang thanked him, feeling comforted. The next morning, Sheng Yang showed up at Jian Bing's house, surprising her with meat and vegetables.
He promised not to ask any questions and offered his full support, explaining that his studio was running smoothly, giving him ample free time to care for Jian Zhongde. He insisted on pulling Jian Bing out of her negative state, declaring he would come every day and that Jian Bing could focus on work or friends, but she shouldn't shoulder the burden alone.
As her boyfriend, her problems were his, and he felt obligated to make her happy and alleviate her stress. Jian Bing doubted his ability to handle Jian Zhongde, warning that her father was mischievous and could be very troublesome. Sheng Yang confidently reassured her, urging her to go to her photoshoot and promising to manage everything at home, reporting any issues immediately.
Jian Zhongde soon appeared, mockingly calling Sheng Yang Jian Bing's "toy boy" and questioning if Jian Bing paid him, unfavorably comparing him to Xue Yiming. He dared Sheng Yang to stop pretending since Jian Bing wasn't around and proposed a deal: if Sheng Yang left him alone and didn't follow him, he wouldn't tell on him.
Sheng Yang calmly reiterated that he was there for Jian Bing and to ensure Jian Zhongde didn't cause trouble, stating he would remain by his side. Frustrated by Sheng Yang's unwavering presence, Jian Zhongde retreated to his room. Sheng Yang prepared a light meal for Jian Zhongde, consisting of porridge, tomatoes with eggs, and onions. Jian Zhongde complained about the lack of meat and demanded braised pork with preserved vegetables or spicy chicken for dinner.
He again tried to dissuade Sheng Yang, stating that Jian Bing would never love him and their relationship had no future. Despite Jian Zhongde's attempts to discourage him, Sheng Yang prepared braised pork with preserved vegetables for dinner. Jian Zhongde ate it eagerly, praising Sheng Yang's cooking and declaring him better than Xue Yiming.
When Jian Bing returned home, she was displeased to see Jian Zhongde eating such a greasy dish, reminding Sheng Yang that her father was about to undergo surgery and needed to avoid fatty foods. Jian Zhongde, however, defended Sheng Yang, stating he had requested the dish. Sheng Yang diligently continued to care for Jian Zhongde, giving him a heart rate monitor watch, checking his blood pressure, administering medication, and even offering to help him bathe.
Jian Zhongde, despite his initial resistance, seemed to enjoy the meticulous care. One day, while Sheng Yang was cooking, Jian Zhongde secretly slipped out. Sheng Yang followed discreetly, leading him to a cemetery where Jian Zhongde stood before a tombstone, proclaiming that he would soon be reunited with his wife. Later that evening, after Jian Zhongde had gone to bed early, Jian Bing confided in Sheng Yang about a painful memory.
When she was twelve, she came home early from school with a stomachache and discovered Jian Zhongde with another woman on her parents' bed. Scared and unsure what to do, she ran to her mother and told her everything. From that day on, her mother was never happy and passed away around the time Jian Shuang was in kindergarten. Jian Bing explained that she had deeply resented Jian Zhongde, believing he was responsible for her mother's early death.
However, after experiencing her own marriage, she began to understand the complex, unspoken secrets within adult relationships. She started to wonder if her mother had known all along but had pretended ignorance for the sake of maintaining a complete family for her and Jian Shuang. This thought led Jian Bing to hate herself more, believing her mother’s death was ultimately her fault for revealing the truth.
She admitted she had never shared this story, not even with Xue Yiming, which explained why Sheng Yang might find it strange that she was now caring for Jian Zhongde, as she believed her mother would have wanted her to. Sheng Yang comforted her, urging her not to blame herself and assuring her that she had always done exceptionally well, regardless of her age or past circumstances.
He expressed his profound gratitude for her presence in his life, likening her to a "little sun" that illuminated his world. Jian Bing, however, remarked that only he would think that and apologized for him appearing in her life when she felt she was "most like Jian Bing," implying a darker, more troubled version of herself.
Sheng Yang, whose name means "exuberant sun," gently reassured her that he could light up her shadows, promising to be her "little sun" forever so she could continue to be herself. Jian Bing agreed, promising to try and walk towards the sunlight.
