Sunshine by My Side Episode 9 Recap
> Sunshine by My Side Recap
Pan Rou, seeing Jian Bing in person for the first time, was impressed by her elegant demeanor and powerful presence. After learning that Jian Bing, a director of many award-winning films, had secured the company's advertising project on her own merit, Pan Rou felt a pang of regret for Sheng Yang. She mentioned that online, Jian Bing and her husband were lauded as the "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" of the advertising world.
Sheng Yang clarified that Jian Bing was divorced, insisting it had nothing to do with him, which prompted teasing from his colleague Song Chen. Shortly after, Wang Youde summoned Sheng Yang to his office, accusing him of using company resources for personal gain. Reminding Sheng Yang of their long history, Wang Youde claimed he had tried to promote him but was blocked by management and the poor business environment.
He then offered Sheng Yang a promotion and a raise from 5,000 to 6,000 yuan if he would convince Jian Bing to withdraw from the project. Sheng Yang refused, explaining he only recommended Jian Bing because she was a perfect fit for the brand's new direction, a decision the boss had approved. Wang Youde dismissed the explanation, belittled Sheng Yang's talent, and threatened that he could be easily replaced if he did not accept the offer.
Furious, Sheng Yang went to the bathroom, where Song Chen followed to console him. Moments later, Wang Youde entered with a colleague, Zhao. Angry that the contract with Jian Bing was signed, Wang Youde began to loudly disparage Sheng Yang, mocking his parents as a vegetable seller and a street cleaner and calling him ungrateful. He then made an offensive remark about Jian Bing, implying she was promiscuous.
Unable to tolerate the insults against his family and Jian Bing, Sheng Yang erupted and physically assaulted Wang Youde, with Song Chen joining the fray. Wang Youde reported the incident to his superior, Mr. Yu, demanding that Sheng Yang and Song Chen be fired for the assault. Exaggerating his injuries, he framed it as a "great humiliation" for a senior employee. Song Chen countered by listing Wang Youde's abuses of power.
Wang Youde then issued an ultimatum: either he or the two young men must leave the company. Meanwhile, Sheng Yang's mother, Luo Meijuan, proudly wore a new silk dress she believed her husband, Sheng Xiangqian, had bought for her. However, her neighbor, Qiao, recognized it as one of her own discarded dresses. Qiao then brought over more of her old clothes for Luo Meijuan, explaining she had gained weight and couldn't wear them anymore.
Deeply humiliated, Luo Meijuan immediately took off the dress. When Sheng Xiangqian returned, he tried to explain he had simply seen an opportunity to get her the dress she wanted, but Luo Meijuan felt deceived and insulted. She was furious that after happily showing it off all day, she was made to feel like a "clown."
Sheng Xiangqian's attempt to placate her by mentioning he had gotten money from their son to buy her a new dress failed to soothe her. Later, Sheng Xiangqian complained to Qiao about his wife's reaction, passionately defending his hobby of "turning waste into treasure." He gave examples, such as turning a chipped decoration into a flowerpot that Sheng Yang once drew for a school project, and repurposing old CDs into decorative models.
He lamented the wasteful habits of young people, prompting a loud, disapproving cough from Luo Meijuan, who was listening from inside. The conflict escalated when Sheng Xiangqian found a 3,000 yuan dress in Luo Meijuan's closet. He berated her for the extravagance, but she tearfully retorted, recounting years of scrimping and saving, from eating discounted food to living with handmade furniture in a second-hand house. She criticized him for not helping with chores, unlike their son who contributed financially.
Sheng Xiangqian argued that his recycling hobby gave items "new life," while her shopping only served to "extend her own life." Hearing his parents' heated argument as he arrived home, a dejected Sheng Yang turned around and left. Elsewhere, Jian Bing was struggling to unclog her kitchen drain. Her friend Liang Shanshan called and offered to send Jian Bing's ex-husband, Xue Yiming, to help, but Jian Bing firmly refused, stating it was inappropriate.
Sarcastically, Jian Bing asked Liang Shanshan to send one of her many "little brothers" instead, before clarifying she was joking. Just then, Sheng Yang arrived. He skillfully fixed the drain and cooked a delicious dinner for her. Jian Bing noticed the cuts on Sheng Yang's face and, upon learning he had fought Wang Youde, commended him, saying, "some people just need to be taught a lesson."
Although Sheng Yang was reluctant to lose his job after three years of work, Jian Bing encouraged him to resign. She advised that if he couldn't handle the consequences of his actions, he should have thought twice, but since he had acted, he shouldn't regret it.
She argued that continuing to suffer under a man like Wang Youde was a far greater loss than finding a new job, assuring him that a young, capable person like him would have no trouble starting over. At the same time, Xue Yiming arrived downstairs with his tools, only to be called by Liang Shanshan and told his help was no longer needed. He still wanted to see Jian Bing, but Sheng Yang had already resolved the issue.
Jian Bing then shared some wisdom with Sheng Yang, telling him, "To become a big tree, don't fight with grass," and "A general has a sword, but doesn't kill flies." She compared Wang Youde to an annoying fly, explaining that engaging with such a person only lowers one's own dignity and wastes energy. She urged Sheng Yang to quit his job and start a new chapter in his life, just as she had done by getting divorced at thirty-six.
