The Bond Episode 17 Recap
> The Bond Recap
Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei arrived at Qiao Yicheng and Ye Xiaolang’s home. Qiao Simei mentioned that Chang Xinyu had also passed the exam to join the TV station and was now a colleague of Qiao Yicheng's. Seeing Qiao Yicheng and Ye Xiaolang diligently studying English, Qiao Simei felt a sense of relief and balance.
Qiao Yicheng explained that as a journalist, he couldn't afford to fall behind, and his wife Ye Xiaolang was also eager to master English for broader reporting opportunities. Later, Qiao Yicheng pulled Qiao Sanli aside into the kitchen, closing the door. He was genuinely happy that Qiao Sanli and Wang Yiding had reconciled and promised to find a way to help with Wang Yiding's penalty for breach of contract.
Qiao Yicheng reassured Sanli, acknowledging her past struggles and telling her not to blame herself, even joking that if things didn't work out with Wang Yiding, she might find someone even better. He then subtly criticized someone for a one-sided pursuit, which Sanli quickly told him not to let Qiao Simei overhear. Qiao Sanli then inquired about Qiao Erqiang's wedding, and Qiao Yicheng confirmed it was set for the following week.
Qiao Erqiang and Sun Xiaomo went to the Bureau of Civil Administration to register their marriage. There was a minor hiccup with their photos, as the official noted the background color was a "rosy red" instead of the required "pure red," but ultimately approved their registration. After successfully obtaining their marriage certificate, Sun Xiaomo suggested they celebrate at a restaurant, and Qiao Erqiang agreed to go to the place she previously enjoyed.
As they were about to leave, Sun Xiaomo's hand trembled, and she dropped their new marriage certificate. Qiao Erqiang accompanied her home, where Sun's mother warmly welcomed him and encouraged him to call her "Mom," which he did. As they gathered for a family meal, Sun Xiaomo suddenly had another epileptic seizure. Qiao Erqiang immediately attended to her with care, which deeply touched Sun's mother.
As Sun Xiaomo recovered, she had a fleeting memory of Director Chen comforting her during a past episode. Qiao Yicheng presented Qiao Erqiang with a large red envelope, urging him to establish a good life with Sun Xiaomo, now that he was a married man. Qiao Erqiang, however, confessed to feeling "muddle-headed," describing it as "fear of marriage," but Qiao Yicheng reassured him that it was a common experience.
Qiao Simei, meanwhile, continued her long-distance relationship with Qi Chenggang through letters and phone calls. Qi Chenggang, growing impatient and seemingly facing difficulties in his promotion to Platoon Leader, was annoyed by her constant communication, stating he was busy with an impending transfer to Lhasa and urging her not to visit.
Qiao Zuwang later chastised Qiao Simei over the exorbitant phone bills, accusing her of using the home phone for her calls to Qi Chenggang instead of for him to conduct business. Qiao Qiqi, now a middle school student, was gaining popularity for his handsome looks, which also made him a focal point for girls his age.
One day, Qiao Simei and Chang Xinyu, having initially planned to watch a movie, decided instead to visit Qiao Qiqi, concerned about him being alone at Uncle Ma's house while his mother was on vacation. After waiting for some time, they witnessed a pretty girl affectionately kiss a somewhat bewildered Qiao Qiqi before running off. Qiao Simei, ever the "expert" on romance, playfully interrogated Qiao Qiqi about the girl.
Chang Xinyu, taking a more serious tone, advised Qiao Qiqi to prioritize his computer studies and not let romance distract him. Qiao Simei, however, dismissed Chang Xinyu's concerns, telling Qiao Qiqi it was a "trivial matter" and offering her extensive experience in matters of the heart. Qiao Qiqi, to her surprise, then asked for help with a computer coding question instead of divulging romantic details.
Back at home, Ye Xiaolang noticed the family's savings book was missing and confronted Qiao Yicheng. After a moment of feigned ignorance, Qiao Yicheng admitted he had taken it. Ye Xiaolang then revealed her TOEFL exam results, joyfully announcing her success, but Qiao Yicheng's score unfortunately did not meet the passing mark. She comforted him, suggesting he could simply retake the test, as her own score was barely above the minimum.
Taking advantage of her good mood, Qiao Yicheng confessed that he had loaned the savings book to Qiao Sanli, who needed the money for an emergency. Ye Xiaolang, no longer surprised by such actions, stated she was accustomed to his habit of prioritizing his original family.
She expressed her feeling that in Qiao Yicheng's heart, his family held more weight than their own small family, and even more than her, describing his family as the "rope that can leash a big elephant" like him, causing her to doubt herself. Qiao Zuwang arrived at his workplace one morning, only to find the office entirely deserted. The following day, the Qiao family home was besieged by debt collectors, demanding payment.
Qiao Zuwang hid inside, refusing to face them, while Qiao Erqiang, Qiao Sanli, and Qiao Simei tried to hold them off at the door. Qiao Zuwang eventually called out, naming Qiao Yicheng, a TV reporter, as his eldest son who would return soon to explain the "policy and situation" to the creditors.
At this time, Qiao Yicheng was on a bus, accompanying Ye Xiaolang to Shanghai for her consulate appointment, and deliberately ignored his pager, declaring his wife's escort his top priority. Despite Ye Xiaolang teasing him for being "stingy" for not taking a taxi, he insisted on staying with her. Meanwhile, Maqueyan, dealing with the growing crisis, tried to send Wang Yiding to fetch Qiao Yicheng, but Wang Yiding, upon hearing "Sanli" mentioned, immediately ran off, seemingly prioritizing Qiao Sanli's safety.
Maqueyan then rushed to the TV station, only to find Qiao Yicheng wasn't there. Back at the Qiao home, the debt collectors eventually forced their way in, taking various household appliances, leaving the house in disarray. Qiao Yicheng, finally receiving an urgent pager message, was convinced by Ye Xiaolang to return home.
Upon his arrival, the front door was shut, and Qiao Simei, pointing furiously at Qiao Zuwang, who was cowering in a corner, recounted how he had been "cheated" after engaging in "capital funding," leading to their belongings being confiscated. Enraged, Qiao Yicheng grabbed a stick, intending to strike his father, but Qiao Erqiang and Wang Yiding intervened, holding him back. Qiao Zuwang, declaring he had lost all his money, dramatically offered his life in repayment.
In a fit of anger, Qiao Yicheng violently threw a chair, silencing everyone. Qiao Yicheng instructed his younger siblings to stay at his home, assuring them that Ye Xiaolang wouldn't mind. When Ye Xiaolang arrived back alone, she was surprised to find everyone there. Once inside, she explained to Qiao Yicheng that her visa application had been rejected due to an "immigration inclination."
She expressed her frustration, but Qiao Yicheng tried to console her, suggesting they could try again and that she could retake the TOEFL. Shifting to the family crisis, Ye Xiaolang questioned why Qiao Yicheng and his siblings were bearing the burden of their father's mistakes, arguing that "collective punishment isn't in the law anymore" and that Qiao Zuwang, being "irresponsible" and having ignored her advice, deserved his current predicament.
Qiao Yicheng defended his decision to house his siblings, explaining that the debt collectors didn't know his address, and emphasizing his duty to protect his "own brothers and sisters." Ye Xiaolang acknowledged his affection for his siblings and agreed to their stay, then suggested they inform the siblings about their plans to study abroad. Qiao Yicheng, however, hesitated, saying it was "not the right time yet," which angered Ye Xiaolang, who accused him of "avoiding the situation."
He urged her to keep her voice down, aware that the siblings were just outside. Indeed, Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei had overheard fragments of their conversation, including "immigration inclination" and "studying abroad," leading them to worry that Qiao Yicheng might also leave the country. The next morning, Ye Xiaolang openly announced her and Qiao Yicheng's plans to study abroad, leaving the three siblings stunned and unsure how to react.
Qiao Yicheng confessed to Ye Xiaolang that he was genuinely unsure about wanting to study abroad, but he adamantly didn't want her to go alone, desiring to stay together as a family. When Ye Xiaolang pointed out he wouldn't be happy if he went unwillingly, he responded that happiness didn't matter as they were family. He then proposed they have a child.
Qiao Yicheng admitted to a selfish underlying motive: he wondered if having a child would make Ye Xiaolang reconsider her plans, envisioning a comfortable life in Nanjing in a larger house, watching their child grow old with them. Despite these personal thoughts, he reassured her that he wasn't truly that selfish and was committed to working hard with her to achieve their goal of studying abroad.
Unbeknownst to Qiao Yicheng, Ye Xiaolang had already been pregnant and had undergone an abortion, a fact he was not aware of when he proposed having a child. Later, Qiao Erqiang prepared chicken soup for Ye Xiaolang, and the Qiao siblings, believing she had suffered an accidental miscarriage, were deeply sympathetic and concerned for her well-being.
Qiao Yicheng comforted Ye Xiaolang, who then promised to "definitely give you a child eventually" and to provide it with "the best life" and "lots and lots of love." The family's concern over her "miscarriage" was evident, with Qiao Erqiang advising her to recover properly to avoid "habitual miscarriage" in the future. After comforting his wife, Qiao Yicheng retreated alone into his thoughts, grieving over their shared loss.
