The Bond Episode 24 Recap
> The Bond Recap
Qiao Sanli faced parenting disagreements with Wang Yiding's mother. When Qiao Sanli arrived home, she found Wang's mother feeding Xuan Xuan a bun and candy, which Qiao Sanli immediately stopped, explaining the high salt and sugar content was unsuitable for the baby. Wang's mother dismissed her concerns, claiming she raised Wang Yiding the same way and he grew up tall and strong.
She then suggested Qiao Sanli quit her night shift job to stay home and care for Xuan Xuan, arguing that Wang Yiding, now a senior specialist with apprentices, earned significantly more, and Qiao Sanli's earnings, which she kept for herself, were not essential to the household. Qiao Sanli firmly countered that work and parenting methods were separate issues, stating that in modern times, women could balance both.
She further asserted that if she earned more than Wang Yiding, he wouldn't be expected to quit his job. She admitted that neither she nor Wang's mother was happy with the current childcare arrangement, but both she and Wang Yiding had demanding jobs. Angered, Wang's mother accused Qiao Sanli of wanting to establish her own household and challenged her to leave immediately.
Qiao Sanli refused to move out but declared that she would personally oversee Xuan Xuan's meals every day, removing Wang's mother from the responsibility. Meanwhile, Qi Chenggang was driving his taxi, with Qiao Simei joining him on his way to work. Qiao Erqiang, having caught Qiao Simei taking a bite from his lunchbox, chased after their car, demanding an explanation.
Qi Chenggang intervened, explaining that Qiao Simei had recently been promoted to housekeeping manager, leading to increased work stress and a larger appetite. Despite this, Qiao Erqiang continued to argue with Qiao Simei from the back seat, eventually getting out of the car to take a public bus. Shortly after, Qiao Simei felt a sudden wave of nausea.
Qi Chenggang, calculating the dates, suspected she might be pregnant and decided to take her to the hospital for a check-up, much to Qiao Simei's surprise that he figured it out before she did. At the hospital, Qiao Simei's pregnancy was confirmed. Qi Chenggang expressed his surprise and admitted he felt unprepared for fatherhood, prompting Qiao Simei to playfully remind him that if Qiao Qiqi could be a father, so could he.
Concurrently, Qiao Qiqi was struggling to care for his sick, newborn daughter, Xiao Zhi, as Yang Lingzi had gone to Shanghai. Yang's mother, who was also unwell, anxiously tried to help, but her efforts were met with Qiao Qiqi's criticisms about her feeding methods. She, in turn, blamed Yang Lingzi's absence for Xiao Zhi's predicament. Soon after, Qi Weimin and Chang Xinyu arrived for a visit.
Seeing Xiao Zhi's condition and hearing that she had vomited her medicine all night, Qi Weimin promptly decided to take her to the hospital with Qiao Qiqi, while Chang Xinyu offered to stay and comfort Yang's mother. Later, Qiao Sanli visited Qiao Simei, bringing a collection of baby clothes, some new and some inherited, including some that Ye Xiaolang had left before going abroad.
Qiao Simei inquired about Qiao Yicheng, and Qiao Sanli relayed his happiness for her, advising her to let the men in her life handle any wishes she had. Qiao Sanli also shared her anxieties about Wang's mother and Xuan Xuan. Qiao Simei expressed a feeling of growing distance from her siblings since her marriage, to which Qiao Sanli retorted that Qiao Simei should be content, living with her father and Qiao Erqiang, and without a difficult mother-in-law.
Yang Lingzi returned from Shanghai and directly informed Qiao Qiqi that she wanted a divorce. She revealed she had fallen for a client, who was aware of her situation and accepted Xiao Zhi. Yang Lingzi confessed that she wasn't sure what "true love" was, but she knew she no longer loved Qiao Qiqi and desired to be with this new person. She characterized their marriage as a haphazard beginning, concluding that separation would be for the best.
Qiao Qiqi, initially emotional, quickly composed himself. He admitted his own uncertainty about loving Yang Lingzi but expressed gratitude for meeting her, as she had made him feel useful. He stated his intention to live with Xiao Zhi and requested time to find a new home. Yang's mother, having overheard the conversation, intervened, asserting that Qiao Qiqi did not need to move out.
She and Yang's father would help raise Xiao Zhi, and Yang Lingzi was free to go wherever she pleased. Qiao Sanli returned home from work only to find Wang's mother had pushed Xuan Xuan, leaving the child in distress. Infuriated, Qiao Sanli immediately took Xuan Xuan back to her parents' home. Qiao Zuwang quickly took Xuan Xuan to comfort him, while Qiao Simei discreetly called Wang Yiding.
Wang Yiding rushed over to the Qiao family home, apologizing and promising that he would stop financially supporting his sister Yining and that they would save money to move out as soon as possible. Qiao Sanli, understanding that it wasn't his fault, quickly reconciled with him. Qiao Qiqi and Yang Lingzi finalized their divorce. Qiao Qiqi accompanied Yang Lingzi to the station.
She expressed no objection to him continuing to live at her parents' home, believing they could still be considered family, even if no longer married, and wished for him to continue caring for Xiao Zhi and her parents. Qiao Qiqi agreed. However, upon returning home, he found his suitcases missing, and Yang's parents, feigning ignorance, firmly placed the house keys in his hand, implicitly signaling their desire for him to stay.
Meanwhile, Qiao Simei, now pregnant and feeling like a "winner in life," encountered Aunt Wu after work. Aunt Wu offered effusive congratulations and praised Qi Chenggang's earnings. Qiao Simei enthusiastically agreed, highlighting his good looks and his habit of giving her all his money. However, as Qiao Simei departed, Aunt Wu gossiped to herself, implying that Qi Chenggang was "no good." Qiao Yicheng signed the divorce papers he received from Ye Xiaolang.
In her message, she requested his swift signature, apologized, and explained that after long suppression, she had made her choice. She felt their marriage effectively ended at their airport farewell and took full responsibility for the outcome, asking him to "fulfill" her and not to hate her. She reflected that he was the only one she considered true family, and wished for them to remain "closest family" across the oceans.
Qiao Yicheng then walked through familiar streets, buying a roasted sweet potato and passing the KTV where Ye Xiaolang had once proposed, reflecting on his solitude. Later, Qiao Yicheng received a distressing call from Qiao Erqiang, informing him of Wang Yiding's serious accident. At the hospital, Qiao Sanli was inconsolable, declaring she would not live if anything happened to Wang Yiding.
Qiao Erqiang explained that a forklift worker's negligence in the workshop had caused five or six injuries, with Wang Yiding suffering the most severe impact to his lower body. Chang Xinyu and Qi Weimin arrived, and Chang Xinyu assured them that her mother's former student, a renowned surgeon, was operating on Wang Yiding. Wang's mother arrived, surprisingly calm, but expressed bewilderment that even a "senior specialist" could face such life-threatening dangers, drawing a frustrated shout from Qiao Sanli.
Qiao Yicheng took charge, arranging for the siblings and Qi Weimin to take turns guarding the hospital and providing care after Wang Yiding awoke, instructing Qiao Simei to take a weary Qiao Sanli to the old house, and Qi Chenggang to stay at his place for the night. Wang Yiding's surgery was successful, and he eventually regained consciousness. Qiao Sanli was immensely relieved and attended to him, despite her evident exhaustion.
Qiao Yicheng and Qiao Simei arrived shortly after with porridge, and the siblings continued to take turns at his bedside. Qiao Yicheng later overheard colleagues making vulgar comments about women who go abroad, implying they engaged in unsavory acts to remain overseas. Enraged, Qiao Yicheng confronted and punched the offending colleague. Both men were reprimanded by their superior for fighting at work and for letting personal issues affect their professional conduct.
The superior suggested Qiao Yicheng let Song Qingyuan share his workload. As Qiao Yicheng had an urgent interview with Minister Xiang Nanfang, Song Qingyuan, noticing Qiao Yicheng's torn jacket from the fight, lent him his own. Song Qingyuan, still unaware of the divorce, inquired if Ye Xiaolang was facing problems abroad. Qiao Yicheng then revealed that he and Ye Xiaolang were divorced. At the interview venue, Song Qingyuan excused himself for the restroom just as Minister Xiang Nanfang arrived.
Qiao Yicheng commenced the interview. Upon Song Qingyuan's return, Qiao Yicheng learned that Xiang Nanfang was Song Qingyuan's childhood friend and had initially mistaken Qiao Yicheng for Song Qingyuan due to the borrowed jacket. During the interview, Xiang Nanfang discussed the importance of imagination and broad-mindedness in leadership and cultural exchange, complimenting Qiao Yicheng's thoughtful questions. She also acknowledged his interest in the artist Chagall.
