The Bond Episode 25 Recap
> The Bond Recap
Wang Yiding was discharged from the hospital and returned home, but his mood was anything but cheerful. He quickly found himself in a dispute with Qiao Sanli over their son, Xuanxuan, being a picky eater. Wang Yiding felt Qiao Sanli was overly tense and magnified minor issues, while Qiao Sanli insisted she was teaching Xuanxuan proper eating habits, recalling Qiao Yicheng's strict lessons about not wasting food.
His irritation escalated, culminating in him slamming the table and telling Qiao Sanli to "shut up" before retreating to his room. Witnessing the constant arguments, Wang Mother expressed sympathy for Qiao Sanli as a fellow woman but declared she could no longer tolerate the daily strife, suggesting Qiao Sanli and Wang Yiding find their own place and move out. Feeling reflective after Wang Yiding's accident, Qiao Simei sat with Qiao Erqiang, lamenting that unpredictable events could strike at any moment.
She urged him to seize the present and openly express his feelings to anyone he liked, as affection cannot be suppressed. Qiao Erqiang, initially more focused on his meal, eventually asked how he should approach the person he liked, to which Qiao Simei simply advised honesty. Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden, heavy downpour. Qiao Erqiang immediately worried about Ma Suqin.
As Qiao Zuwang and Qi Chenggang arrived home, soaked to the bone, Qiao Simei handed Qiao Erqiang clothing and encouraged him to go check on Ma Suqin if he was worried, assuring him that his love was strong enough to withstand any obstacles. Qiao Erqiang promptly put on a raincoat and hurried to Ma Suqin’s tofu shop. He found the shop inundated with rainwater and immediately helped Ma Suqin and her son, Zhiyong, clear the standing water.
After Zhiyong went to bed to prepare for an exam, Qiao Erqiang offered Ma Suqin a cup of hot water. He sat beside her and, with some hesitation, confessed, "Master, I like you. I want to marry you." He explained that after so many years, he could no longer lie to himself, recalling Qiao Simei's advice to voice one's heart if it caused no harm.
Ma Suqin, however, remained silent, then warned him not to follow her tumultuous path, wishing him a good life instead. Meanwhile, Qiao Sanli cautiously turned on the light to find Wang Yiding calmer. He apologized for his earlier outburst. He then suggested they get a divorce, revealing that his recent injury had resulted in him losing his fertility and that he felt he was a burden on Qiao Sanli, who was still young.
Qiao Sanli firmly rejected the idea of divorce. She playfully chided him for his gentle approach to "forcing" a divorce, suggesting he should be more "ruthless." She reminded him that they were no longer newlyweds, and whether they could have more children was not a defining factor for their love. She emphatically stated that she already had two brothers and certainly didn't need him to become another "brother."
Qiao Simei prepared a health drink for Qi Chenggang, then reflected on love, concluding that genuine affection, like Qiao Erqiang's, was beautiful regardless of appearance. She expressed concern for Qiao Sanli, but Sanli reassured her that their upcoming move would resolve her issues with Wang Mother. Simei then suggested that Wang Yiding consider starting his own business, noting the current favorable economic climate.
Later that evening, at dinner, Qiao Zuwang dramatically opposed Qiao Erqiang's relationship with Ma Suqin, comparing their situation to classical opera and threatening to hang himself at their doorstep if they dared to register their marriage. Undeterred, Qiao Erqiang left home and went to Ma Suqin’s. He reiterated his desire to marry her, suggesting they look for a two-bedroom apartment for their new family, though Zhiyong voiced a preference for living on campus in high school.
Ma Suqin, worried about Qiao Erqiang's potential future regrets, suggested they simply live together without a marriage certificate. Qiao Erqiang stubbornly refused, pulling out a wedding ring and declaring his unwavering commitment to be with her, even without the support of others. Ma Suqin was deeply moved, and they agreed to marry, deciding against a banquet. Wang Yiding and Qiao Sanli were busy renovating their newly purchased house.
Qiao Erqiang packed his bags, ready to move in with Ma Suqin, but Qiao Zuwang made sarcastic remarks about losing his rental income. Ma Suqin and Zhiyong came to meet him as he left the alley. Qiao Simei, waiting for Qi Chenggang every evening, endured Qiao Zuwang’s complaints about his children's supposed wealth and his demand that she secure Qi Chenggang’s military severance pay. Simei vaguely stated that Qi Chenggang had given his severance pay to his parents.
To appease her father's incessant grievances, Qiao Simei reluctantly agreed to increase his monthly living expense by two hundred yuan, hoping Qiao Yicheng would not find out. Meanwhile, Wang Yiding and Qiao Sanli’s attempt to quietly leave for their new home was discovered by Wang Mother. Qiao Sanli confessed they had bought a house and were busy with renovations. Wang Mother reacted with outrage, sarcastically accusing them of making major life decisions without consulting her.
She lamented that she had raised a son only for him to prioritize his own family, feeling abandoned and fearing she would die alone. Qiao Sanli, exasperated by her mother-in-law’s dramatic manipulations, argued that their financial independence and move did not diminish their care for her. Unable to listen further, Qiao Sanli walked away, with Wang Yiding following to try and reason with her, but Qiao Sanli was unwilling to let Wang Mother control their lives.
After an interview, Qiao Yicheng and Song Qingyuan met Xiang Nanfang, her colleague Qi Weimin, and his wife, Chang Xinyu. Xiang Nanfang suggested they all have dinner and drinks. However, Qi Weimin and Chang Xinyu had a prior commitment to watch a movie and excused themselves. Xiang Nanfang then invited Qiao Yicheng and Song Qingyuan for drinks. Song Qingyuan, initially reluctant due to their equipment, eventually agreed, advising Qiao Yicheng to catch up on sleep during their travel.
Meanwhile, Wang Mother feigned illness to garner sympathy, lamenting her deceased husband and Wang Yining’s decision to marry into his wife’s family, leaving her with no one to rely on. Wang Yiding patiently reassured her that he would always care for her, regardless of where they lived, emphasizing that being a family extended beyond sharing a home. Later, Qiao Yicheng, Song Qingyuan, and Xiang Nanfang emerged from their drinks, with a tipsy Song Qingyuan singing loudly.
Xiang Nanfang and Qiao Yicheng reminisced about their childhood, including how Qiao Yicheng was often punished by his strict father for mischief caused by Song Qingyuan. Qiao Yicheng described his highly structured upbringing, contrasting it with Xiang Nanfang’s free childhood, which she admitted to envying. As Song Qingyuan became increasingly rambunctious, playing with an expensive camera, Xiang Nanfang and Qiao Yicheng playfully tricked him into a race, leaving him behind, with Xiang Nanfang remarking on Song Qingyuan's often "fun" nature.
