The Bond Episode 16 Recap
> The Bond Recap
On the Little New Year, the Qiao family gathered to make dumplings. Qiao Simei returned, her face flushed from the high plateau. Qiao Zuwang scolded her playfully about her tan, while Qiao Yicheng remained quiet. Qiao Simei quickly apologized to her older brother, who told her to wash her hands and change her clothes before helping with the dumplings. She also brought back matsutake and agaric, which Qiao Zuwang instructed Qiao Sanli to take care of.
Soon after, a man nicknamed Sparrow Eye arrived, ostensibly to visit Qiao Zuwang. He brought wine and cigarettes, which Qiao Zuwang happily accepted, praising him as a promising and thoughtful young man, though Sparrow Eye kept glancing at Qiao Sanli. Suddenly, Aunt Wu called out for Wang Yiding. Qiao Sanli looked towards the door, where Wang Yiding stood shyly, holding some fruits.
He felt his gifts were too humble to bring inside, but Qiao Sanli recognized them as her favorites and urged him to enter. Wang Yiding hesitated, explaining he needed to go home as his mother was alone. When Qiao Sanli asked about his father and brother, he revealed that his brother, Wang Yining, was with his girlfriend for the New Year.
Then, with a somber expression, he disclosed that his father had passed away from gastric cancer before the New Year. Qiao Sanli was shocked and apologetic for not knowing, but Wang Yiding assured her that the funeral was simple, and few people knew. As he turned to leave, Qiao Sanli embraced him.
Seeing this, Qiao Zuwang called Wang Yiding to come inside, showing him much more warmth than he had shown Sparrow Eye, though he still encouraged Wang Yiding to go home to his mother. Later, Qiao Sanli and Wang Yiding ate together in the factory canteen, drawing many curious glances. Qiao Sanli noticed how thin he had become and learned he had been eating only steamed bread and salted vegetables for nearly a month.
She pushed her own dishes and meat towards him. Wang Yiding explained that his mother had asked him to give his salary to her to help fund Wang Yining's wedding, since Wang Yining had a girlfriend and he did not. Qiao Sanli chided him for being foolish, suggesting he could have claimed to have a girlfriend himself. Wang Yiding simply replied that he didn't have one, leaving Qiao Sanli exasperated and jokingly implying he lacked common sense.
Meanwhile, Qiao Erqiang escorted Sun Xiaomo home. Her mother was clearly against their relationship, openly disapproving of Qiao Erqiang and calling him jobless, urging Sun Xiaomo to break up with him. The next day, Qiao Erqiang and Sun Xiaomo planned to go ice skating, but the rink was closed. Over a meal, Sun Xiaomo offered to help Qiao Erqiang find a job through Xinhua Bookstore's various partner companies, such as binding or printing houses.
Qiao Erqiang said he would consider it. Suddenly, Sun Xiaomo felt unwell and asked Qiao Erqiang to wait for her outside. Moments later, she collapsed, convulsing. Qiao Erqiang rushed to her side, calling for an ambulance. Back at the factory, Wang Yiding and Qiao Sanli discussed the declining workforce, with older workers being furloughed and younger ones resigning. Wang Yiding, however, remained unconcerned.
He explained that with his father's recent death and his brother's upcoming wedding, he had already given his savings book to his mother, feeling a responsibility to support his family. Qiao Sanli, pained by his selflessness, gently reminded him that while his reasons were valid, he also needed to consider himself. Wang Yiding apologized, reassuring her that she was very important to him, and Qiao Sanli urged him to take better care of himself.
Qiao Yicheng pressed Qiao Erqiang about his intentions to marry Sun Xiaomo, questioning his hesitation. Under his brother's questioning, Qiao Erqiang reluctantly revealed that Sun Xiaomo suffered from epilepsy. Believing that Ye Xiaolang must have known about this when she introduced them, Qiao Yicheng angrily confronted her upon returning home, accusing her of having a feud with his family.
Ye Xiaolang vehemently denied any prior knowledge, swearing her innocence and expressing her frustration with Qiao Yicheng's tendency to turn on her when it came to his siblings. She declared that if she had known, she would never have introduced Sun Xiaomo to Qiao Erqiang. Qiao Yicheng eventually conceded to believing her but insisted that Qiao Erqiang and Sun Xiaomo should separate. Disheartened and feeling wronged, Ye Xiaolang went to Aunt Fang to get the full story herself.
She then told Qiao Yicheng that from now on, she would never interfere in the Qiao family's affairs again. Qiao Yicheng tried to apologize, but Ye Xiaolang remained resolute. Qiao Erqiang later met with Sun Xiaomo. She was prepared for him to break up with her due to her illness, revealing that her aunt had initially advised keeping it a secret, though she knew it couldn't be hidden forever.
Qiao Erqiang reassured her that he did not mind her illness; he had simply wanted to check on her well-being. Meanwhile, Qiao Zuwang continued to push Qiao Sanli to invest with him, mentioning that Sparrow Eye had already put all his money in. Qiao Sanli refused and advised her father to stop his investments, but he dismissed her concerns.
Wang Yiding, following Qiao Sanli's advice, interviewed for a position at a foreign enterprise, which offered good benefits and even paid study opportunities. He passed the interview, but when he told his mother he planned to resign from the factory, she became furious, accusing someone of putting bad ideas in his head and refusing to return his savings book. Qiao Erqiang started his new job at the Xinhua Bookstore warehouse.
As a newcomer, he faced bullying, with older colleagues slacking off and making him do all the heavy lifting. He was even denied a boxed lunch by the food server. Sun Xiaomo, seeing this, brought two pairs of chopsticks to share his homemade meal.
During their lunch, Director Chen approached Sun Xiaomo, requesting her to come to his office after work to discuss "new book arrangements," his tone making Qiao Erqiang remark that the director spoke like "a leavened steamed bun," with a thick outer skin that hid its true flavor. That evening, Sun Xiaomo went to Director Chen’s office.
He subtly threatened her by bringing up her epilepsy, implying that her recent seizure at the restaurant was related to past memories, presumably with him. When he tried to put his arm around her, Sun Xiaomo broke free. She firmly stood her ground, confirming she had a seizure but declaring that Qiao Erqiang was there, covered her, took her to the hospital, and later told her he didn't mind her illness and would marry her.
She told Director Chen that she was doing well and advised him to mind his own business. Director Chen was clearly taken aback by her resolve. Later, Sun Xiaomo invited Qiao Erqiang to her house for dinner, explaining that her mother wanted to meet him and celebrate his new job. Qiao Erqiang was nervous, admitting he had no experience meeting a girlfriend's family and was concerned about his suitability for her.
Sun Xiaomo reassured him, emphasizing that her mother had long hoped to meet her boyfriend, and urged him not to feel pressured. Back home, Qiao Simei was using Qiao Erqiang's walkman to practice English. He was annoyed, but she surprised him by showing that she had fixed his broken tape. She played it, and suddenly, the voice of Ma Suqin, Qiao Erqiang's former mentor, could be heard.
Qiao Erqiang immediately grabbed the walkman and climbed onto the roof, listening to the recording repeatedly. Qiao Simei soon joined him, asking if he still missed Ma Suqin and whether he truly loved Sun Xiaomo or his former master. Qiao Erqiang, feeling lost, pondered the meaning of "liking someone." Qiao Simei vividly described her own romantic ideal of escaping to a snowy cabin with the person she loved.
Qiao Erqiang envied her clarity, admitting he felt like a flashlight beam in the night sky, seeing no hope or end, only darkness. Qiao Simei, ever the optimist, advised him to focus on what was in front of him and assured him he would eventually find his way. The next day, Qiao Erqiang, carrying gifts, arrived at Sun Xiaomo's house. Her mother had invited many relatives, all eager to meet him and openly encourage their swift marriage.
Qiao Erqiang awkwardly greeted everyone. During dinner, he was plied with drinks by the enthusiastic relatives and soon became quite drunk. Prompted by the relatives, Sun Xiaomo went to check on him. Lying in the bedroom, in his alcohol-induced haze, Qiao Erqiang saw Sun Xiaomo attending to him but mistook her for Ma Suqin, calling out for his "Master."
