Sunshine by My Side Episode 36 (Ending) Recap
> Sunshine by My Side Recap
Song Chen, after some hesitation, confessed his long-standing feelings to Pan Rou, asking her to be his girlfriend. Pan Rou revealed that she had heard his earlier musings on the bus, noting that all her "firsts"—setting up a stall, starting a business, even visiting a police station—had been with him. She playfully concluded that if things continued this way, marriage would be the natural outcome, implicitly accepting his proposal. They then decided to go shopping.
The ice hockey team gathered for Hao Junjie's farewell dinner. During the toast, when someone offered to drink for Jian Shuang, Hao Junjie quickly intervened, explaining that her leg hadn't fully recovered and he would drink in her stead. This drew playful remarks from teammates about his obvious affection. Hao Junjie, though admitting he wasn't good with words, expressed his deep reluctance to leave his teammates and wished them all successful careers and bright futures.
When pressed by a teammate about his formality, Hao Junjie became more direct, confirming that he and Jian Shuang were indeed dating and that he could take good care of her himself. He then officially announced Jian Shuang as his girlfriend and their new "sister-in-law," prompting cheers and toasts from everyone present. After the celebration, Jian Shuang, having had too much to drink, was carried by Hao Junjie. He playfully warned her not to drink with others after he left.
Jian Shuang, feigning that her dorm was closed, was offered a ride to Jian Bing's place by Hao Junjie. This suggestion immediately annoyed her, and she suddenly became more sober, confessing that she would miss him deeply and revealing he was the second person she liked most in her life, after her sister.
She then abruptly told him to leave and walked off, leaving her bag behind, which he called her back for, telling her to take good care of it. Earlier, Sheng Yang had invited Song Chen and Pan Rou to his home for New Year's celebrations. As Luo Meijuan and Sheng Xiangqian prepared a grand dinner, Sheng Yang received a call from Mr. Yu.
To his delight, Mr. Yu informed him that Jian Bing's public service advertisement had been shortlisted for an award and expressed interest in collaborating with her on a new project. As Hao Junjie was packing for his departure, his uncle, Fang Mu, reminded him that his parents were eagerly awaiting his arrival at the airport. Hao Junjie confessed feeling like he had made a mistake, though Fang Mu stated it was too late to change his mind.
Fang Mu then posed a profound question, asking if Hao Junjie truly loved music. Hao Junjie admitted that his decision to go abroad was largely influenced by his parents' expectations. His uncle then shared his own life philosophy, explaining he had chosen a stable teaching career over societal competition because he preferred security and a peaceful life, questioning the constant pursuit of being first.
Hao Junjie, seeing his uncle as his idol and the best teacher, opened up about his true desires: to travel across the country with Jian Shuang, exploring places on his motorcycle, camping, hiking, visiting various spots from quiet libraries to bustling streets, or simply relaxing and observing life. He revealed how exhausting it felt to constantly live up to his parents' expectations.
Surprisingly, Fang Mu encouraged him to take a year off to truly enjoy himself, emphasizing that life is meant to be lived on one's own terms. He reassured Hao Junjie that he would handle any backlash from his parents, which Hao Junjie gratefully accepted, offering to wash the dishes in return. Jian Shuang went to the airport to see Hao Junjie off, confused about his earlier departure date.
He explained his parents wanted him to adapt to the new language and environment sooner. As they said their goodbyes, he gave her the long-distance relationship manual she had asked him to compile, promising to study it, though she preferred he call her instead. When he asked if she had anything to tell him, she admitted she didn't want him to leave.
He playfully suggested he would stay for her, then she urged him to go, bantering about how the moon abroad might be rounder, but her face in China certainly was. After a tearful farewell, Hao Junjie actually walked away, with Jian Shuang calling after him to be careful with his jacket. However, he suddenly returned, declaring that "a piece of diamond like him can shine anywhere" and he didn't need to go abroad.
Jian Shuang, tears streaming down her face, asked if he was staying for her, to which he affirmed he was staying for "their moon." He explained it was a sudden decision, and Jian Shuang, overjoyed, embraced him tightly, asking if he was teasing her again. He assured her he was serious this time, suggesting they go retrieve his luggage immediately. Jian Shuang regularly visited her grandfather, Jian Zhongde, reading stories to him.
One day, she read a passage about childhood memories with his grandfather Yaosheng, focusing on the simple life, the elder's teachings, and the lasting impact of his grey sculpture art and thriftiness, quoting, "Diligence can compensate for what one lacks. Frugality can support integrity." Meanwhile, a new teacher, Gao Yitong, approached Fang Mu for directions to a building in Zone B, which was actually in Zone A.
Gao Yitong introduced herself as a new teacher there to lecture, and Fang Mu, from the same department, offered to guide her. They quickly connected, discussing her graduation from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and her adjustment to the local spicy cuisine, with Fang Mu offering to take her to a good Shanghai restaurant. They exchanged WeChat contact information. Later, Jian Shuang confronted Sheng Yang about a "visuals team" she had been collaborating with.
She noted that the team's leader was mysterious and always absent, and she had recognized Sheng Yang's unique artistic style when an individual from the team, whom she referred to as "that chubby guy," came for an interview, speaking lines that sounded distinctly like Sheng Yang's coaching. Sheng Yang, caught red-handed, confessed that he had indeed set up the arrangement, explaining he only wanted to help her, knowing she would reject his direct assistance.
He jokingly blamed the individual for being unreliable. Jian Shuang playfully accused him of watching too many romance dramas, to which Sheng Yang replied that she was, in fact, the female lead of his own drama. On the day of the awards ceremony, Jian Bing expressed concern about Sheng Yang's casual attire, insisting that as the "male lead," he needed to look handsome and that she had prepared something for him.
Upon arriving at the bustling venue filled with cameras, Jian Bing advised Sheng Yang to compose himself and not appear overwhelmed, to which he chuckled that it was indeed his first time. She playfully chided him for not dressing in a way that matched her, but he asserted that their personal connection mattered more than their outfits. Despite his argument, she insisted he change into the clothes she brought, and they then walked in hand-in-hand.
Meanwhile, at home, Luo Meijuan and Sheng Xiangqian were watching the pre-show on television. A nosy neighbor approached Luo Meijuan, enthusiastically trying to set Sheng Yang up with various young women, highlighting their impressive qualifications, such as graduating from top universities and earning high salaries. Initially humoring the neighbor, Luo Meijuan eventually revealed that Sheng Yang already had a girlfriend and that they would both appear on television during the upcoming awards ceremony.
The neighbor, surprised, remarked that Sheng Yang's girlfriend looked like a big star, though she questioned her age. Luo Meijuan proudly agreed and invited the neighbor to watch the broadcast together and offer her opinion. The 19th Youth Advertising Competition Awards Ceremony commenced, and the "Best Production Award" was announced, with the honor going to Jian Bing from Jian Yi Advertisement Studio and Moses Advertisement.
As Jian Bing ascended the stage to accept the award, Luo Meijuan proudly pointed her out as "my daughter-in-law" to the neighbor, who was taken aback by Jian Bing's celebrity-like appearance and mused about her age. In her acceptance speech, Jian Bing thanked the organizers and expressed deep gratitude to her long-time partner and best friend, Liang Shanshan, for her unwavering support that allowed her artistic freedom.
She also acknowledged her mentor, Director Xue Yiming, urging him to return from his creative sabbatical. Admitting her discomfort with public speaking, Jian Bing then dedicated a significant portion of her speech to Sheng Yang. She recounted how he had shared his aspiration to use design to positively influence the world and change people, noting that he had already achieved this by profoundly impacting her.
Attributing the true soul and inspiration of their award-winning film to him, she invited Sheng Yang to join her on stage, stating she couldn't accept the award alone. Sheng Yang, surprised, walked onto the stage to the excited cheers of Luo Meijuan watching from home. He humbly thanked Jian Yi Advertisement Studio for their support and specifically acknowledged Moses Advertisement and his partners, Song Chen and Pan Rou, crediting them for his presence there.
Turning to Jian Bing, Sheng Yang referenced her wisdom, recalling her advice not to waste time on trivial matters and her emphasis on dignity for both established figures and young people. He then declared that meeting Jian Bing was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Reflecting on her previous analogy of love as a marathon where mismatched paces lead to separation, he passionately asserted that once he began running, he would never regret it.
He vowed that even if he ran slowly, grew tired, or could no longer run, those would not be reasons to let go. His sole goal, he declared publicly, was to run to the very end of this road with her. A visibly moved Jian Bing, tears welling up, playfully remarked that she wouldn't have called him up had she known what he was going to say, before sharing a heartfelt embrace with him on stage.
Watching the emotional embrace on television, Luo Meijuan and Sheng Xiangqian were deeply moved. Sheng Xiangqian commented on how wonderful it was to see the couple openly display their affection for each other, and Luo Meijuan playfully asked if he was jealous, then stated he should be. Sheng Xiangqian then jokingly asked who had initially opposed their relationship, prompting Luo Meijuan to admit her past reservations, expressing joy and pride in having such a good son.
Meanwhile, Hao Junjie and Jian Shuang embarked on their journey, riding a motorcycle. When Hao Junjie asked where they were headed, Jian Shuang simply replied she would go wherever he went, solidifying their adventurous path together, as Hao Junjie humorously remarked their public display of affection was "inappropriate for kids."
