The Bond Episode 15 Recap
> The Bond Recap
Qiao Zuwang proudly unveiled a new telephone he had installed at home, boasting about his capabilities to Qiao Yicheng, Qiao Erqiang, and Qiao Sanli, who were all fascinated. Qiao Yicheng, however, remained skeptical, cautioning his father not to make his children homeless. Qiao Sanli excitedly called Qiao Simei's workplace to share the news, only to be told that Qiao Simei had taken marriage leave. The revelation sent Qiao Yicheng, Qiao Erqiang, and Qiao Sanli into a panic.
Qiao Yicheng finally reached Qiao Simei by phone, only to be hit with another bombshell: she was already on a train to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, on her way to marry Qi Chenggang. Furious, Qiao Yicheng cut her off, telling her to do as she pleased. After Qiao Simei arrived in Chengdu, she called again to inform him she would travel by long-distance bus into Tibet, reassuring him not to worry, but he remained angry and dismissive.
Qiao Sanli was bewildered, recalling Qiao Simei’s recent secretive remarks about love and letters, which she had dismissed as mere infatuation with a celebrity. Desperate for information, Qiao Erqiang and Qiao Sanli frantically searched Qiao Simei's bedroom, eventually finding Qi Chenggang's address and phone number. Qiao Yicheng, though outwardly calm, realized the distance was too great to physically pursue her and opted to make a long-distance call to the military unit.
Amidst the family drama, Qiao Yicheng received a letter from his father-in-law, confirming that an apartment for his son had been secured. This development meant his in-laws would no longer trouble him about it. During one of Qiao Simei's calls, Qiao Yicheng’s wife, Ye Xiaolang, questioned his anxious demeanor. He quickly assured her it was just a call from his sister, playfully reminding her not to confuse his wife with his sisters.
After days of travel, Qiao Simei arrived in Xinjiang via a long-distance bus through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. She immediately called the military unit, reaching the supervisor, who was already aware of her arrival thanks to Qiao Yicheng’s earlier call. However, the supervisor informed her that she was still a long distance from the base and, as it was already dark, advised her to find a place to stay for the night.
Qiao Simei found a guest house and, with a local family, enthusiastically recounted her grand love story with Qi Chenggang, describing him as a tall, broad-shouldered, strong man with eyes like "little sunshines." She eagerly anticipated a spectacularly unforgettable wedding. Back in Nanjing, her siblings worried. While Qiao Yicheng believed she needed to suffer a setback to learn her lesson, Qiao Erqiang admired her bravery for pursuing what she wanted, feeling it was worthwhile even if it ended in heartbreak.
Qiao Simei’s romantic ideals soon collided with the harsh reality of Xinjiang's freezing temperatures and her own severe altitude sickness, which left her struggling for breath and running out of oxygen. Later that night, Qiao Yicheng received a tearful call from Qiao Simei. Crying, she confessed her mistake and declared she was giving up on finding a boyfriend and would buy a ticket home the next morning.
Her distress softened Qiao Yicheng’s heart, and he gently told her to return home. The following morning, unable to reach the military unit by phone due to damaged communication lines, Qiao Simei, stubborn as ever, decided to walk to the base. The kind owner of the guest house provided her with the guesthouse's phone number and a few basic Tibetan phrases to help her hitchhike.
Just as Qiao Simei was about to embark on her journey, Qi Chenggang’s comrade arrived to pick her up, making her immensely grateful and overjoyed. The comrade explained that the supervisor had instructed him to first pick up Qiao Simei and then rendezvous with Qi Chenggang, who was currently on a mission. The two reunited halfway, much to Qi Chenggang's surprise.
The comrade also mentioned that the supervisor had personally purchased some local specialties for Qiao Simei to take back to her family. Though Qiao Simei was euphoric, Qi Chenggang appeared more resigned than pleased. Upon arriving at the military unit, Qiao Simei greeted everyone with a familiar warmth, as the supervisor was waiting for them. Qi Chenggang cautioned Qiao Simei against speaking carelessly, but she immediately asked the supervisor when they could get married.
The supervisor, believing Qi Chenggang had somehow prompted Qiao Simei's cross-country journey, began to reprimand him. Qiao Simei quickly interjected, asserting that coming was entirely her own idea, driven by love, and that no distance was too far. The supervisor then gave her a dose of reality: the unit was not a civil affairs bureau and could not issue marriage certificates.
He further explained that as an active military member, Qi Chenggang was bound by the late marriage and late childbirth policy. Qiao Simei was crestfallen, realizing she had forgotten about the two-year waiting period. Qi Chenggang then bluntly stated that he would not marry her even after two years. The supervisor intervened, explaining that Qi Chenggang was a key member of the unit and had an important mission the next day, limiting their visit to just half a day.
He arranged for Qiao Simei to stay in the family guest house. Qiao Simei attempted to suggest staying with Qi Chenggang in his dormitory, but the supervisor firmly reiterated military discipline and the fact that they were not yet married. Qiao Simei had dinner with the soldiers, where she was simultaneously used as a cautionary tale for her impulsive actions and praised for her remarkable courage as the first and only family member to visit their remote unit.
Throughout the meal, Qi Chenggang remained noticeably uncomfortable. Later, Qi Chenggang brought a blanket to her guest house room. Qiao Simei, overcome with emotion, embraced him, expressing how much she missed him. Qi Chenggang, however, pulled back, stating that they had only recently become acquainted and were merely friends separated by vast distances. He worried that her actions might cause misunderstandings, particularly given his status as a simple soldier.
Undeterred, Qiao Simei passionately reaffirmed her love, declaring that she would follow him even to the moon. The next day, Qi Chenggang saw Qiao Simei off. He told her that if he could get a promotion in just over a year, she would then be able to visit him anytime she wished. Qiao Simei, however, pressed him to promise that they would marry the next time he came home.
He agreed, but made her promise in return not to undertake such "silly things" again. With tears in her eyes, Qiao Simei departed Xinjiang, looking forward to arriving home just in time for the Little New Year. Meanwhile, back home, Ye Xiaolang experienced a sudden bout of vomiting in the morning. She attributed it to chronic gastritis, but Qiao Yicheng couldn't help but worry. Despite feeling unwell, she insisted on attending her TOEFL classes, emphasizing the significant investment they had made and her belief that learning English was essential to "conquering the world."
