The Bond Episode 13 Recap
> The Bond Recap
Ye Xiaolang's parents arrived in Nanjing by train, carrying large bags. Her mother proudly presented beautifully embroidered gifts, a gesture that caused Ye Xiaolang a moment of awkwardness. Later, Ye's father pulled Qiao Yicheng aside to explain that they had initially opposed Ye Xiaolang going to university. However, she had promised that once she graduated, she would not ask for any money for her own marriage and would even take care of her younger brother's wedding house.
He even showed Qiao Yicheng a signed promise letter. He elaborated that their old family home was undergoing a new housing policy, and without the funds to secure it, Ye Xiaolang's younger brother would be unable to marry. " If Xiaolang doesn't take care of it, who will? It's her own younger brother," he stated.
Although Qiao Yicheng had been unaware of this arrangement, he assured his father-in-law that he would gather the substantial sum of money and send it over as soon as possible. Ye's father praised him as a "good son-in-law," remarking on Ye Xiaolang's excellent taste in choosing a husband. After the family gathering, Qiao Yicheng and Ye Xiaolang returned to their rented apartment. Ye Xiaolang expressed her relief that they were finally alone.
They marveled at the apartment, which was already furnished with paintings, decor, and cabinets left by the landlord. Ye Xiaolang playfully called Qiao Yicheng stingy, but he countered that his savings account now only held a two-digit sum. They began to dream of their future home, planning to buy a hot water heater and speakers for music. Qiao Yicheng shared his childhood experiences of waiting for his turn to bathe due to their large family.
Ye Xiaolang also confessed her fondness for Fei Xiang and Leon Lai, teasing Qiao Yicheng about his own handsomeness. Soon, Qiao Erqiang, Qiao Sanli, and Qiao Simei arrived for a visit. Simei complimented Ye Xiaolang's dress and praised her as honest and outgoing, jokingly crediting it to Ye Xiaolang's promise to introduce her to a handsome boyfriend. They looked through Qiao Yicheng and Ye Xiaolang's wedding photos, with Simei remarking that Qiao Yicheng resembled Leon Lai in one of them.
Qiao Sanli presented Ye Xiaolang with a beautiful handmade gift. Following them, Qi Weimin, Chang Xinyu, and Qiao Qiqi arrived, bringing a hot water heater and a rice cooker as practical wedding gifts, fulfilling Ye Xiaolang's earlier wish. While the men were busy in the kitchen, Qiao Erqiang offered his help. After dinner, Qiao Yicheng sent Qiao Erqiang, Qiao Sanli, and Qiao Simei home, but Qiao Erqiang claimed he had something else to do.
On his way, he briefly mistook a passerby for Ma Suqin, apologetically correcting himself. Later, at a skating rink, a mishap caused the walkman Ma Suqin had given him to break. This led to a confrontation, and Qiao Erqiang returned home with an injured face. Back home, Ye Xiaolang confided in Qiao Yicheng that her earlier comment about introducing a handsome boyfriend to Qiao Simei was just a joke to cheer her up.
However, she did have a serious candidate for Qiao Erqiang: Xiao Mo, Auntie Fang's niece, a 23-year-old who worked at Xinhua Bookstore and was both pretty and well-mannered. She urged Qiao Yicheng to ask Qiao Erqiang about it. Later, Qiao Erqiang discussed his aspirations with Qiao Yicheng, expressing his desire to pursue cooking professionally, perhaps starting as a kitchen assistant, as he found a sense of achievement in it.
Qiao Yicheng then brought up Ye Xiaolang's suggestion, and to his surprise, Qiao Erqiang readily agreed to meet Xiao Mo, saying he would "meet her then." The next morning, Qiao Yicheng couldn't find a clean shirt, realizing Ye Xiaolang hadn't washed any. He left for work wearing a jacket.
His colleague, Song Qingyuan, teased him about his "unique styling" and suggested he had entered the "second stage" of marriage, characterized by the "fall after the honeymoon phase" and "the nothingness after bliss," where the wife handles everything while the husband relaxes. Qiao Yicheng corrected him, stating it was "the opposite," and that he felt like the "woman" in the relationship. Song then remarked that it seemed Qiao Yicheng had gained another "younger sister" rather than a wife.
When Qiao Yicheng returned home that evening, he was greeted by a strong, unfamiliar odor. Ye Xiaolang, with a small cut on her hand from preparing dinner, proudly announced she was making him a "feast" of Stinky Mandarin Fish. Despite her enthusiasm, Qiao Yicheng found the fish difficult to eat. He later noted that "there was really something wrong with this fish." Ye Xiaolang, seeing his struggle, offered to either eat out or make noodles.
While attempting to help Qiao Yicheng wash dishes, she accidentally broke a bowl. Frustrated, Qiao Yicheng asked her to leave the kitchen and stop "causing trouble." Ye Xiaolang grew upset, arguing that her day at work was already exhausting and that she felt like a "burden." Qiao Yicheng retorted that if she simply folded his shirts, she would already be "lightening the burden, princess."
They eventually reconciled, with Ye Xiaolang apologizing and explaining her frustration was directed at herself for messing up her plans. Qiao Yicheng reassured her that the fish truly was the problem. Ye Xiaolang then reminded him about arranging a meeting between Xiao Mo and Qiao Erqiang, which Qiao Yicheng promised to do the next day, thanking her for her efforts. Aunt Wu approached Qiao Yicheng, hinting at some unsettling observations about Qiao Simei.
Taking her words to heart, Qiao Yicheng confronted his younger siblings, especially Qiao Simei, about respecting herself. He sternly asked who the "chubby guy" was that she had been seen with. Qiao Simei laughed, explaining that it was Boss Chen, who had invited many colleagues for dinner, not just her. She dismissed the rumors as baseless gossip, comparing it to "when one dog barks at a shadow, a hundred others join in."
Qiao Yicheng, however, continued to reprimand her, contrasting her behavior with Qiao Sanli's, which made Qiao Simei complain about his constant comparisons. Qiao Erqiang intervened, defending Qiao Simei by saying she was not interested in "chubby men" and merely wished to marry a handsome man, assuring Qiao Yicheng that she was "not silly at all." Qiao Simei, feigning hurt from being "wronged," demanded compensation from Qiao Yicheng, asking for money for a sweater she desired.
Qiao Yicheng suggested she ask Qi Weimin instead, as they met often. Qiao Simei demurred, saying she felt shy asking Qi Weimin and that Qiao Yicheng was her "blood brother." She also mentioned reading poetry with Chang Xinyu, mispronouncing Lermontov's name as "Lertov," which Qiao Yicheng corrected. Later, Qiao Yicheng told Qiao Erqiang he needed to talk to him after dinner, leading Qiao Erqiang to wonder if he had done something wrong.
Qiao Simei, using Qiao Erqiang's walkman to learn English, declared she needed it to talk to her "blue-eyed boyfriend." Qiao Sanli then informed Qiao Simei that Qiao Yicheng had already discussed the blind date with Qiao Erqiang, who was set to meet Xiao Mo from Xinhua Bookstore at the Drum Tower the following day. Qiao Sanli declined to join Qiao Simei in secretly observing the date due to her night shift.
Qiao Simei pondered if Qiao Erqiang still harbored feelings for his "master." Qiao Sanli mused that physical appearance was less important in matters of the heart, comparing love to a tree in one's heart, painful to plant or uproot. When Qiao Simei asked if Qiao Sanli's metaphorical tree had been "re-planted," Sanli simply stated she was sleepy and avoided the question. The next day, Qiao Simei, elegantly dressed, left work.
She reiterated her unwavering resolve to marry a "very, very handsome" man, stating that anyone with an "average face" was out of the question. Moments later, on the street, she encountered a man in a military uniform. He approached her, asking for directions, and then recognized her as Qiao Simei, his junior high classmate. He introduced himself as Qi Chenggang.
Qiao Simei remembered him as being "skinny and short" in school, but he explained that he had "started growing a lot" after graduating from junior high. He was a soldier stationed in Tibet, in the "frontier," and was home on leave because his mother was unwell but had to leave again soon. Qiao Simei, instantly smitten, insisted on keeping in touch. When he hesitated due to his rush, she quickly asked for his unit's phone number.
He provided "6820349," which Qiao Simei began to repeat to herself incessantly as she walked home, determined to commit it to memory, even as she was momentarily interrupted by Qiao Sanli heading out for her night shift.
