The Bond Episode 4 Recap
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Qiao Yicheng diligently prepared for his national college entrance exams while managing the household, much to Qiao Zuwang’s disdain. Qiao Zuwang scoffed that attending college would require an auspicious omen for their ancestral graves, suggesting that Qiao Yicheng was wasting his time and should instead find a job to alleviate his father's burdens. Despite the skepticism, Qiao Yicheng persisted. On exam day, a supportive Qiao Sanli gave him walnuts to boost his brainpower.
Qi Ziqiang drove both Qiao Yicheng and Qi Weimin to the exam site, urging them to do well and not be nervous. After the exams, Qiao Yicheng’s younger siblings, brought by Qi Ziqiang, were waiting to celebrate. Qiao Erqiang appeared with a bruised face, holding a kitten. He explained that classmates, including Wang Jun, had bullied the cat, and he now realized they were the ones who had previously framed him for stealing money to buy a Hong Kong shirt.
Filled with indignation, Qiao Yicheng immediately rushed off and confronted the boys in a fight, avenging Qiao Erqiang. Weeks later, when the postman delivered a letter, Qiao Yicheng’s face lit up with joy; he had passed the exams. Qiao Yicheng’s success made him the first college student from their humble alley, earning him widespread admiration from neighbors and even a noticeable improvement in Qiao Zuwang's attitude.
That evening, Qiao Zuwang specially cooked him noodles, boasting that he would also take Qiao Yicheng to Tong Wang restaurant for soup dumplings. Qiao Zuwang beamed with pride, declaring that a college student in their family was an unprecedented event, truly a sign of "blue smoke from ancestral graves." He even mentioned visiting his ancestors' graves to pay respects. When Qiao Yicheng revealed he was attending Normal University, Qiao Zuwang was even more pleased because it meant no tuition fees.
He proudly presented Qiao Yicheng with a watch he had bought at an auction house, instructing him to wear it carefully. Meanwhile, Qi Weimin also excelled, becoming Nanjing’s top liberal arts student and gaining admission to university. Wei Shufang celebrated lavishly, proclaiming she had spent her "coffin money" on the festivities and that her son’s success made her feel like a "lucky ghost."
Qiao Yicheng visited the celebration to drop off Qiao Qiqi’s monthly living expenses, feeling a pang of imbalance amidst the grandeur. However, Qi Weimin, with genuine warmth, handed him a bag of food for Qiao Erqiang and the younger sisters, telling him not to discard it. As Qiao Yicheng began his university life, he reflected on the year 1983 as a time of hope for China. Soon, the family learned that Qi Ziqiang’s health had deteriorated.
Qiao Yicheng brought yam porridge made by Qiao Erqiang to visit, finding Qi Weimin sweeping the streets in the alley. Qi Weimin revealed that his father was "not too well," and they were awaiting test results, fearing a serious illness. Inside, Wei Shufang informed Qiao Yicheng that Qi Ziqiang had been restless all night and had just fallen asleep. Qiao Yicheng inquired about Qiao Erqiang, and Wei Shufang lamented that he was "not the type for studying."
She recounted his academic failures, like confusing the "Hongmen Banquet" and mistakenly answering that "Journey to the West" was the novel also known as "The Story of the Stone", confirming he had been held back three times. She further explained that Qiao Zuwang had made him drop out without consent, and now he merely "wanders around." She warned Qiao Yicheng to keep a close eye on him, especially with a recent crackdown on crime.
Upon learning from Qiao Yicheng that Qi Weimin was sweeping the streets, Wei Shufang became furious, stating she didn't send him to college to perform such tasks. A reporter from Nanjing Daily arrived, hoping to publicize Qi Weimin as a "new youth" and "number one exam winner who sweeps the streets," promoting civic virtues. Enraged, Wei Shufang aggressively chased the reporter away, refusing to let her son’s activities be seen as an "embarrassment."
Qi Weimin tried to calm her, explaining it was a job assigned by the neighborhood committee and he wasn't ashamed. He reassured his mother that he would still pursue his studies, but Wei Shufang implored Qiao Yicheng to reason with him. Later, Qiao Yicheng found Qiao Erqiang watching television at Niuye’s place. He dragged Qiao Erqiang home, scolding him for wasting time watching "made-up nonsense" and for his irresponsible behavior, warning him he could end up in jail.
Qiao Erqiang, though reluctant, promised to stop hanging out with Niuye and agreed to stay home. The growing children also presented new challenges; Qiao Sanli complained about Qiao Erqiang mixing his dirty clothes with hers, prompting Qiao Yicheng to suggest buying a larger basin. More significantly, Qiao Yicheng proposed that Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei move into Qiao Zuwang’s room to give them more privacy as they grew older, with Qiao Zuwang himself moving in with Qiao Erqiang.
Qiao Zuwang vehemently refused, accusing Qiao Yicheng of eyeing his property and declaring he would rather die in that room than move. He dismissed Qiao Yicheng’s concerns about boys and girls sharing a room, suggesting they simply "close their eyes" or dress appropriately. Nevertheless, Qiao Yicheng insisted that Qiao Erqiang move to sleep in the main room, even if it meant using a cot.
Qiao Erqiang, confused and hesitant, obeyed, much to Qiao Simei's amusement, who teased him about his "stinky feet." Qiao Zuwang, seeing Qiao Erqiang sleeping in the main room, grumbled about his children being "debt collectors." Soon after, Wen Qinghua approached Qiao Yicheng, asking him to tutor her niece, Wen Ju'an, who was 18, repeating her college entrance exams, and known for being rebellious despite her intelligence in math. Qiao Yicheng arrived at Wen Ju'an’s spacious "small Western-style house."
Wen Ju'an was initially aloof, questioning the relevance of learning English, proudly declaring herself Chinese, and calling the pursuit of English "stupid." Qiao Yicheng maintained his patience. During a lesson, Wen Ju'an unexpectedly took a sweet potato from Qiao Yicheng's bag and praised its taste, while unceremoniously discarding a plate of fruit her mother had offered. As the lessons progressed, Wen Ju'an gradually warmed to Qiao Yicheng, even asking about his family and the unique naming convention of his siblings.
Meanwhile, Qiao Erqiang attempted to join Niuye’s blacklight dance party but was turned away by Niuye, who referenced Qiao Yicheng’s earlier intervention. Shortly after, the police raided the party, arresting all attendees. Qiao Erqiang, narrowly escaping, returned home visibly shaken, recounting how Niuye and everyone else had been apprehended for the illegal dancing party.
Qiao Zuwang, surprisingly, found Qiao Erqiang a job at Yuhong Machinery Factory, proudly announcing he had exaggerated Qiao Erqiang’s age to "eighteen going on nineteen" to secure the position, celebrating having another income earner in the family. Qiao Simei immediately eyed Qiao Erqiang’s first paycheck, envisioning restaurant meals and a new silk skirt. Qiao Sanli, ever practical, warned her not to take advantage, reminding her of an apprentice's meager salary.
Qiao Yicheng, living on campus, had not been home recently, and both Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei admitted they missed him. At the factory, Qiao Erqiang reported for duty and was assigned to the turning shop under Master Ma Suqin, a kind and respected female worker, amidst playful remarks from other co-workers who called her "a beauty" and teased her about her "cute" apprentice.
Ma Suqin instructed Qiao Erqiang on getting uniforms and bringing his own lunch, emphasizing the need for strength in their demanding work. During a tutoring session, Wen Ju'an continued to display curiosity about Qiao Yicheng's personal life, probing about his father's role and why he worked part-time despite free tuition. Qiao Yicheng explained that he needed money for his own living expenses and to supplement his family's income.
When Wen Ju'an's mother brought grapes, Wen Ju'an tried to discard them, but Qiao Yicheng quickly ate them to prevent waste. After class, Wen Ju'an walked him out, asking about the location of his part-time job, to which he replied, "our school newsstand." Back home, Qiao Sanli and Qiao Simei discovered apples, paper stars, and a love poem left on their bicycle.
Qiao Simei was thrilled, imagining a romantic suitor, but Qiao Sanli was disgusted, immediately throwing the gifts and the accompanying bottle into the trash, threatening to never speak to Simei again if she retrieved them. At the factory, when Qiao Erqiang made a mistake with a cart, Ma Suqin promptly stepped in, calmly diffusing the situation with the manager and explaining Qiao Erqiang was a new apprentice.
Later, she checked on him, reassuring him that such mistakes were normal for a beginner. Noticing a faint smell of smoke, she learned he had accepted a cigarette from another master. Ma Suqin sternly warned him against picking up "bad habits" like "smoking, alcohol, prostitutes, and gambling," declaring that succumbing to even one would "ruin your life," and advised him to focus on reading and learning instead.
