The Bond Episode 31 Recap
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Qiao Erqiang and Qiao Sanli worried that Qiao Simei might not be eating at the hospital, so they prepared food to take to her. Qiao Sanli was puzzled by Qiao Yicheng's decision to remain uninvolved, as he usually acted tough but was soft-hearted. Qiao Yicheng, however, knew that this situation was beyond Simei's control.
Simei had pestered the doctors all day, even signing a waiver, but they refused to let her care for Qi Chenggang, citing hospital policy and national regulations. Eventually, the hospital called the neighborhood committee, who then escorted Simei back home. Qiao Erqiang had searched for Simei all afternoon at the hospital to no avail, only to find her home, where Qiao Zuwang was holding a "criticism meeting" about the shame she had brought upon him.
Despite this, Simei remained resolute, insisting she must see Qi Chenggang. The next morning, Simei again left with her luggage, but found the neighborhood committee women waiting at her door, as they had been instructed by the police to ensure she wouldn't return to the hospital. Heartbroken and feeling helpless, Simei saw a text message from Xiaomeng on Qi Chenggang's phone, which brought tears to her eyes.
Meanwhile, Qiao Zuwang went to buy wine and olive oil, then returned to find the committee women still at the house. Qiao Yicheng arrived home with Qiao Qiao. Simei sat on the roof, drinking, and called Xiaomeng. Xiaomeng, mistaking the call for Qi Chenggang, spoke to her intimately about how much she missed him.
Simei calmly identified herself and informed Xiaomeng that Qi Chenggang had atypical pneumonia, and as they had been in close contact, Xiaomeng should seek medical attention if she felt unwell. Xiaomeng, in disbelief, then began crying, blaming herself for Qi Chenggang's suffering and declaring her love, stating she couldn't go on without him.
Simei, perhaps advising both Xiaomeng and herself, gently told her that no one should have to die, that Qi Chenggang also bore some responsibility, and that despite her love for him, Xiaomeng should prioritize loving herself. Simei then muttered to herself how foolish she had been. Qiao Zuwang later visited the Xiang family with gifts, but they were not home.
He instructed the housekeeper to give the items to Xiang Beifang, boasting that the olive oil was imported and limited edition. When Qiao Yicheng returned to the Xiang residence, he saw the gifts his father had brought. Clearly upset, he took the liquor but left the olive oil, remarking to his brother-in-law, Xiang Beifang, that he would surely appreciate the "homemade taste" of the oil, a subtle jab at his father's boastful gift.
Qiao Yicheng then informed the housekeeper of his intention to move back to his previous rented apartment due to his demanding work schedule. Back at his father's house, Qiao Zuwang, feeling unwell, asked Qiao Yicheng to take him to the hospital.
Qiao Yicheng, enraged, demanded that his father immediately quit the affiliated position and return all benefits and income he had received, forbidding him from making any more unreasonable requests to the Xiang family, as his actions trampled on Yicheng's dignity. Qiao Zuwang dismissed it as a minor issue, claiming he understood social etiquette and that his father-in-law considered them family. Qiao Yicheng pleaded with him to rectify the situation and stop embarrassing him.
Qiao Zuwang retorted that he was old and had never "ridden Yicheng's coattails." Qiao Yicheng then issued a stern warning: if Qiao Zuwang continued to act unilaterally, he would cut off his living expenses, prevent the other siblings from giving him money, and even take him to court to sever all ties. He further warned his father against going to the hospital while the atypical pneumonia threat persisted.
Xiang Nanfang called Qiao Yicheng to comfort him, assuring him that the matter with Qiao Zuwang was insignificant and that her father understood boundaries. Qiao Yicheng, still feeling ashamed, could not fully express his feelings before Nanfang had to hang up due to a work call. As the atypical pneumonia crisis concluded, Qi Chenggang was discharged from the hospital. Qiao Yicheng, though at the hospital, turned and left upon seeing Qi Chenggang emerge.
At Wei Shufang's house, where the Qiao siblings had gathered, Wei Shufang initially preferred to stay alone, a habit she had developed since Old Ma's death. However, upon hearing Qiao Yicheng had arrived, she promptly joined the family. Simei had meticulously cared for Qi Chenggang, and he recovered quickly. They went out for a meal, during which Simei remained composed and gentle, while Qi Chenggang appeared ill at ease.
On their walk home, Simei's memories of their time together flashed through her mind. Qi Chenggang embraced her, crying and stating that his illness had been like "dying once." He promised to settle down and live a good life with her, asking her to trust him. Simei, in turn, pulled out the old letters he had sent from Tibet, declaring she no longer wanted them and returned them.
She spoke of how she used to push her affections onto him, something Qiao Yicheng had called "belittling herself," and she no longer wished to do so. As Qi Chenggang cried, Simei felt a brief glimpse of the young, handsome man she had met that afternoon many years ago, the one she had abandoned everything for and loved wholeheartedly. She considered those years well spent.
Qi Chenggang shook his head, lamenting that he was unworthy and promising to repay her and Qiao Qiao doubly, wanting to continue their life together. Simei, however, told him she no longer wanted to be with him. Simei calmly proposed divorce to Qi Chenggang. Qiao Zuwang, angered by this, called her "two hundred and fifty," stating that if she had divorced him earlier, she wouldn't have "died once" with him.
He lectured her on how to live, but Simei countered that the only thing she learned from him was never to rely on a man. She reminded him of his absence during their childhood struggles—when they were hungry, bullied, or when their home was vandalized by creditors—and stated that he had no right to teach her how to live now. Qiao Zuwang was left speechless.
Later, he gathered his children to announce his intention to choose a burial plot for their mother for the upcoming Qing Ming Festival, a decision the children accepted. Qiao Zuwang then proposed that the children, including Qiao Qiqi, should share the cost. Qiao Yicheng, rolling his eyes, asked his father to reveal his true plan. Qiao Zuwang, as expected, wanted a "double plot" so he could be buried alongside their mother after his death.
Qiao Yicheng refused, insisting on two "single plots." Qiao Zuwang reluctantly agreed to a single plot for their mother for now, but emphasized that it must be dignified and have good Feng Shui. Xiang Nanfang returned home for the holiday, surprising Aunt Sun, who then revealed that Qiao Yicheng no longer lived there. Later, as the family prepared for the grave relocation, Qiao Zuwang proudly announced that he had arranged a spacious Coaster from the Xiang family.
Qiao Yicheng, furious, confronted his father, reiterating that the Qiao family should never trouble the Xiang family for any matter. He then instructed Qiao Erqiang to buy cigarettes for the driver and send him away. As Qiao Yicheng was once again emphasizing his stance to his family, Xiang Nanfang, having just returned, appeared. Qiao Yicheng was surprised she hadn't told him of her return so he could pick her up.
Nanfang explained she arrived the previous night and had intended to surprise him, adding that the Coaster was a rented vehicle that had already been paid for, so there was no need to send the driver back. She questioned why he was being so dramatic and deliberately trying to upset her. Qiao Yicheng denied this, explaining that he simply wanted to avoid repeatedly troubling her family, referencing past incidents.
Nanfang then asked if he considered living in her home also a burden. Qiao Yicheng denied this, attempting to explain his desire for their own space by mentioning "his home" (the rented place), then correcting himself to "our home." Before their discussion could continue, Qiao Zuwang rushed out, asking if they were ready to leave for the grave relocation. As it began to rain, Qiao Zuwang commented on the "misty rain during Qing Ming Festival" and went to retrieve some items.
