The Bond Episode 32 Recap
> The Bond Recap
While in the car, Qiao Zuwang thanked Xiang Nanfang for her crucial assistance during Qiao Simei’s childbirth, noting that she helped contact hospital staff. He then complained of chest tightness and shortness of breath, lamenting the inconvenience of a young woman accompanying an old man for medical tests, and asked Xiang Nanfang to arrange for a hospital expert for a thorough checkup. Xiang Nanfang readily agreed.
Later, Qiao Yicheng took Xiang Nanfang to his rented apartment, admitting he had planned to tell her about it after her vacation, not wanting to conceal it. He explained his long-held desire for a private space. Observing the apartment, Xiang Nanfang expressed concern about the cold in winter, despite Qiao Yicheng’s assurance that he was accustomed to it. She suggested they purchase heaters, thick curtains, and a decorative floor lamp, all of which Qiao Yicheng accepted.
At the hospital, after Xiang Nanfang went to speak with a doctor friend, Qiao Zuwang complained about the extensive check-up but asserted he would undergo one annually. He also insisted that Qiao Yicheng, being no longer young, should do the same. Meanwhile, Qiao Erqiang, discussing Zhiyong's future, expressed his commitment to funding Zhiyong's education as far as he wished, emphasizing that their earnings were for their children. He then encountered Sun Xiaomo and her young son.
When the boy stated he was eight years old, Sun Xiaomo quickly corrected him to seven, claiming he forgot his age, but the boy firmly insisted he was eight, born in the Year of the Rat. Sun Xiaomo then hastily departed. Separately, Qiao Sanli gifted Wang Yiding a knitted item and encouraged him to stop commuting for treatment, fearing for his health. Despite his annoyance, she firmly stated her decision to accompany him to Beijing to consult multiple doctors.
She pledged to stay by his side, regardless of the outcome, affirming that her patience and devotion mirrored his past care for her. Moved, Wang Yiding expressed his gratitude, and Qiao Sanli proposed they turn the trip into a long-overdue wedding celebration. Troubled by the discrepancy in the child's age, Qiao Erqiang, unable to sleep, found Zhiyong in the kitchen. Zhiyong offered Qiao Erqiang expensive cigarettes, explaining he bought them with money earned working at a vegetable stall.
He then revealed that he and Ma Suqin had decided he would change his surname to Qiao at the police station the next day, committing to care for Qiao Erqiang in his old age. Zhiyong confided that his past negative views of fathers changed after Qiao Erqiang entered his life, leading him to believe that a true father is not always a biological one.
Qiao Erqiang, however, insisted Zhiyong should take Ma Suqin's surname instead, out of gratitude for her enduring struggles in raising him. Zhiyong accepted, and Qiao Erqiang advised him to avoid tobacco and alcohol during his college years. Qiao Simei unveiled a new short hairstyle, which she playfully revealed to Qiao Sanli and Qiao Yicheng was merely a wig, asserting that life should be embraced with a mix of drama, reality, and fun.
Qiao Sanli announced her and Wang Yiding's imminent departure for Beijing, entrusting Xuan Xuan to Qiao Simei. Qiao Yicheng, despite his concern and offer to connect her with friends in Beijing, was reassured by Qiao Simei that his sister was determined and would manage. After Qiao Sanli's departure, Qiao Erqiang's anxieties deepened as he observed Sun Xiaomo's son playing downstairs, leading to frequent sleepless nights.
The following morning, as Qiao Zuwang practiced tai chi, Qiao Simei struggled to get Qi Qiaoqiao and Xuan Xuan ready for school. Qi Chenggang arrived, having learned she was caring for two children, and offered his assistance with childcare. Shortly after, Qiao Erqiang departed for the market, politely declining Ma Suqin's offer to accompany him. Qiao Erqiang rushed back to the old family home after a phone call, finding Qiao Zuwang in the yard, distraught and surrounded by concerned neighbors.
The neighbors explained that Qiao Zuwang had left a kettle of water on the stove, forgotten it, and it had nearly caused a fire after the water boiled dry and the kettle exploded, highlighting the danger to the old neighborhood. Qiao Zuwang, demanding a quick resolution, accused his children of plotting against him, but Qiao Yicheng firmly stated that they would collectively hire a live-in nanny, with Qiao Zuwang retaining the right to choose the person himself.
As they left, Qiao Erqiang, overwhelmed with guilt, confided in Qiao Yicheng that he might have a son who was already eight years old. Qiao Yicheng and Qiao Simei expressed skepticism, arguing that Sun Xiaomo's shrewd mother would not have kept such a secret if the child were truly his.
Qiao Erqiang, despite his self-reproach, asserted that he would not evade his responsibilities, distinguishing himself from his biological father, but struggled with how to inform Ma Suqin without causing her worry or pain, while also acknowledging Sun Xiaomo's difficult journey as a single mother. Qiao Erqiang visited Sun Xiaomo's home, where Sun's mother informed him that the child was born in 1996, a few months after his divorce from Xiaomo.
She demanded he reflect on how to compensate Xiaomo, her grandson, and their family for their prolonged suffering. When Qiao Erqiang presented a savings book, Sun's mother scoffed, asserting that money cannot replace the true compensation due. Meanwhile, Qiao Simei accompanied a finicky Qiao Zuwang through three nanny agencies. Qiao Zuwang was fixated on the nannies' appearance, stating they would be serving him.
Just as Qiao Simei expressed her exasperation and refusal to continue the search, they encountered an old acquaintance, Qu Aying, seeking employment. Qu Aying, recognizing Qiao Zuwang as "Big Brother," was quickly brought back to their home. There, she displayed an almost excessively solicitous demeanor towards Qiao Zuwang, offering him fruit and pre-brewed tea, then preparing warming Lycium chinense water to replace evening tea. Qiao Simei, observing this, found it unsettling.
When Qiao Simei asked Qu Aying to hang laundry, Qiao Zuwang interjected, reminding Simei that the nanny was exclusively for him, not her. Despite Qu Aying's dismissive "no trouble," Qiao Simei, feeling increasingly awkward, retreated to her room with Qi Qiaoqiao, commenting on Qiao Zuwang's unusual favoritism towards the nanny. Qiao Yicheng confided in Qi Weimin about Qiao Erqiang's predicament, criticizing his brother's naivety and suggesting a DNA paternity test.
As they spoke, Qiao Erqiang called Qiao Yicheng for advice, revealing that Sun's mother was now demanding he remarry Sun Xiaomo. Qiao Erqiang explained Sun Xiaomo's alleged reason for concealment: not wanting the child to burden him, as his heart was with another woman. Qiao Yicheng probed Qiao Erqiang's true feelings, cautioning that any decision would inevitably cause pain. Later, Sun's mother confronted Ma Suqin at the restaurant, revealing Qiao Erqiang's secret son, leaving Ma Suqin visibly heartbroken.
Meanwhile, Qiao Zuwang and Qu Aying were seen enjoying each other's company over drinks and TV, with Qu Aying displaying attentive care. Qiao Zuwang even reprimanded Qiao Simei for asking Qu Aying to do laundry, emphasizing that the nanny's duties were solely for him. The next day, a melancholic Ma Suqin proposed they take a day off to have fun. After going ice-skating and having a meal, they went to the cinema and unexpectedly encountered Qiao Zuwang and Qu Aying.
Qiao Erqiang paid for all four tickets, and they watched "Harry Potter" together in a rather humorous and awkward atmosphere. On their way home, Qu Aying expressed embarrassment to Qiao Zuwang, but he, asserting his paternal authority, dismissed her concerns, stating that a son being filial to his father was natural and no one could dictate his actions. Qiao Erqiang then asked Ma Suqin if she considered it a date, before suggesting they choose a different cinema next time to avoid such encounters.
