The Bond Episode 14 Recap
> The Bond Recap
Qiao Erqiang and Sun Xiaomo went on a blind date, sitting uncomfortably far apart on a bench. Ye Xiaolang was delighted when she returned home, feeling she had successfully handled Erqiang's matter, and Qiao Yicheng treated her as a hero. Ye Xiaolang encouraged Sun Xiaomo and Erqiang to talk, pointing out that Xiaomo already knew Erqiang's situation, and then instructed Erqiang to walk Sun Xiaomo home.
During their walk, Sun Xiaomo inquired about Erqiang's work at the binding factory and if he had any questions for her, but Erqiang remained mostly silent. When Qiao Yicheng praised Ye Xiaolang’s efforts, she playfully called him cheap for suggesting cooking at home over dining out, even though she ultimately agreed to cook. They discussed when to expect news about Erqiang and Sun Xiaomo, and Ye Xiaolang offered to ask Aunt Fang at the daily news agency the next day.
Later, Wang Yiding discreetly followed Qiao Sanli home late at night, ensuring her safety. He offered to walk her home, stating his sister-in-law had told him to, and Sanli eventually agreed. One evening, Qiao Sanli found a heartbroken Qiao Simei crying in the yard, initially thinking someone had bullied her. Simei revealed she had just fallen in love but was now "lovelorn," describing a complex feeling of sadness and happiness, like "boiling congee."
She dramatically lamented the world's separations, missing, and distances. Sanli, annoyed by the late-night poetry, tried to get her to sleep. Simei continued to sigh, wishing she could see her beloved every day, walk with him, watch his profile in the dark cinema, and imagining him comforting her with flowers. She asked Sanli to teach her how to knit a black sweater for him, believing the color would suit his skin.
Simei even envisioned herself breaking up with him if she became too ill, to avoid burdening him, but insisted he would never agree. She wondered why lovers had to part, and Sanli listened empathetically. Simei thanked Sanli for finally understanding her. The next morning, Qiao Simei went to Wei Shufang's small store to make a call to Qi Chenggang. Wei Shufang initially hesitated due to the cost but eventually allowed her to use the phone.
After trying several numbers, Simei finally got through to Qi Chenggang's unit. Meanwhile, Qiao Yicheng received a phone call from his father-in-law. Yicheng quickly interjected, asking his father-in-law not to tell Ye Xiaolang about the money he needed, promising to gather the funds by the end of the month. After the call, Song Qingyuan, having observed Yicheng speaking with his father-in-law on his wedding day, advised Yicheng not to rush and offered his help if needed.
Later, Qiao Yicheng called Ye Xiaolang's old workplace, planning to treat her to lunch, only to discover she had already resigned. When Ye Xiaolang returned home, Qiao Yicheng confronted her. She admitted she had started her new job less than a week ago and kept it from him because she knew he would disagree, but she didn't want to miss the opportunity.
Qiao Yicheng called her new workplace a "fly-by-night organization," but she defended it, claiming their circulation was doubling and her salary was higher, despite losing her "official employee" status. She accused him of being close-minded and lacking ambition, citing others who were changing jobs or going abroad. He argued they should focus on their own lives and questioned the long-term viability of her move. Ye Xiaolang countered that "nothing lasts forever in the world," and "only changes last for eternity."
He called her "opinionated and unreliable," to which she retorted that he "saves face and suffers." Ye Xiaolang retreated to her room without eating dinner, sulking. Qiao Yicheng coaxed her out with a bowl of noodles. She apologized for not immediately informing him about her resignation but firmly maintained her views on life and work. Qiao Yicheng sarcastically acknowledged her right to her views and his right to despise them.
She reminded him that a married couple should support, understand, and encourage each other. He then jokingly apologized for his "misconduct holding her back," and she responded with a playful jab about his "saving face and suffering." As Qiao Yicheng’s birthday approached, Qiao Sanli called Ye Xiaolang, suggesting a lively family celebration at the old house.
However, Ye Xiaolang informed her that she had already booked a private room for a separate, intimate celebration with Qiao Yicheng, and Sanli politely decided not to intrude. Meanwhile, a smitten Qiao Simei secretly wrote a note while Sanli slept, hid it under her pillow, and went to a photo studio to take pictures, which she enclosed in a letter to Qi Chenggang, lost in romantic daydreams.
On Qiao Yicheng's birthday, Ye Xiaolang arrived late but quickly led him from the main hall into a specially reserved private room. Despite his concerns about the cost and minimum charge for just two people, she insisted it was for his birthday, to celebrate and enjoy their "two-person world," having even decorated it. She ordered an extravagant spread and a custom-designed cake, revealing she had received a bonus and had turned down Sanli and the others.
Qiao Yicheng realized Sanli had invited them. He told Ye Xiaolang he didn't blame her, but she sensed he still prioritized his siblings. She then firmly declared that she and Qiao Yicheng were "the closest people" and "the ones who would spend a lifetime together," implying her importance surpassed that of his siblings. During a walk, Sun Xiaomo unexpectedly burst into tears and broke up with Qiao Erqiang. He remained calm, telling her, "It's fine. Don't cry anymore.
Breaking up is fine." His indifference seemed to upset her further, and she promptly hailed a rickshaw and left. Back at the birthday dinner, Ye Xiaolang, full of ideas, proposed that they work hard for another two years, save money, study English, take the TOEFL, and go abroad, possibly to the United States.
She spoke of escaping their past worries and future burdens to find a "brand new world," a concept Qiao Yicheng admitted he had never considered but agreed was "worth thinking over." Happily discussing their future plans while carrying leftover food, they walked home and encountered Aunt Fang, who was visibly anxious and informed them that Qiao Erqiang and Sun Xiaomo had broken up. Both Yicheng and Xiaolang were surprised. Aunt Fang worried about young people breaking up over minor issues.
Qiao Yicheng promised to speak with Erqiang and ensure he apologized if he was at fault. After Aunt Fang left, Ye Xiaolang mused about whether Erqiang had a "first love" he couldn't forget. Qiao Yicheng dismissed the idea, describing Erqiang as "simple," but then seemed to wonder if there was indeed a past love. The next morning, Qiao Yicheng returned home to discuss Erqiang’s situation, while Qiao Zuwang casually left.
Erqiang told Yicheng that Sun Xiaomo had initiated the breakup, that she seemed to have "thought it through," and he himself felt they "didn't suit each other." Qiao Yicheng comforted him, stating they didn't wrong her and he would introduce him to someone better. However, Qiao Erqiang declared he didn't "necessarily need to get married," finding contentment in his cooking class.
Qiao Simei, overhearing, interrupted to assert that "marriage is the ultimate goal in life" and "the highest level of attainment in love." Later, Qiao Yicheng hesitantly asked Qi Weimin for a loan. To his surprise, Qi Weimin revealed he had recently transferred the family property to his half-brother, Xiao Yi, to secure his mother's happiness with Uncle Ma.
Furthermore, he had given his father's pension and the family's savings to his sister, Xiao Ya, who was preparing to study abroad with her fiancé. Qiao Yicheng was shocked and called Qi Weimin "out of his mind," feeling embarrassed to ask for money. Nevertheless, Qi Weimin insisted on lending him some of his wedding savings, requesting only that it be repaid before his own marriage.
The binding factory where Qiao Erqiang worked was closing down, and he was among the first batch of layoffs. Qiao Yicheng called him, relaying that Aunt Fang had spoken with Sun Xiaomo, who seemed to have listened, and advised Erqiang to be "generous" and compromise. Erqiang, however, stated he "can't compromise" due to his impending job loss, a fact he had only just learned. Sun Xiaomo was already on her way to the factory.
She arrived and told Erqiang she still wanted to be with him. She acknowledged his factory was closing but optimistically stated, "Work can always be found," and offered that they could "work hard together." Qiao Erqiang suggested they "take a walk somewhere," choosing a "new place." They were later seen happily skating together, holding hands and talking, indicating a reconciliation. Meanwhile, Qiao Simei anxiously awaited letters from Qi Chenggang in Xinjiang, reading each one countless times.
Her colleagues teased her, commenting that while others sought "American Chinese," "businessmen," or "university students with a chance to go abroad," Simei was pursuing a "soldier who's stationed on the border." Simei retorted that her boyfriend would undoubtedly save his last breath for her. Her ultimate justification for her choice was simply, "He's good-looking."
