The Bond Episode 7 Recap
> The Bond Recap
Qiao Yicheng frantically searched for Qiao Simei in Beijing. He asked a guesthouse attendant about her, describing her appearance and mentioning her pigtail braids, white top, and white skirt. The attendant was suspicious and unhelpful, hinting that Qiao Simei might have run off with someone. Qiao Yicheng angrily clarified he was her brother, stressing his urgency and demanding she speak Mandarin. Although he saw her name in the register, Qiao Simei then suddenly appeared behind him.
Upon returning home, Qiao Simei was reprimanded by Qiao Sanli, who insisted she wait obediently for Qiao Yicheng to come back. Qiao Simei, however, excitedly recounted her experience at the Fei Xiang concert, describing him as even more handsome in person and the atmosphere as incredibly enthusiastic, though she admitted she was too weak to shake his hand, which Qiao Sanli called "heartless."
Later, Wei Shufang called Qiao Yicheng to inform him that Qiao Simei had returned to Nanjing and advised him not to linger in Beijing, mentioning it was a waste of money. Meanwhile, Qiao Erqiang, who didn't even remember his own birthday, received a thoughtful gift from Ma Suqin: a walkman and a cassette of Teresa Teng that she had someone copy.
Ma Suqin told him not to listen to it while crossing the road and affectionately teased him for constantly calling her "Master," saying he sounded like Nezha. Qiao Yicheng then visited Wen Ju'an, bringing her sweet potatoes and fruits he bought from a roadside stall. He found her distant and formal, calling him "Teacher Qiao." She mentioned her mother, Auntie Wen, was away in Tianjin on a business trip for a special interview.
Qiao Yicheng congratulated her on getting into college, and she, in turn, congratulated him on his graduate school admission, which he confirmed was a decision he made for himself, stating his desire to continue his studies regardless of others' opinions. When Qiao Yicheng asked why she hadn't contacted him, she replied he hadn't contacted her either. She then stated she had an appointment with a teacher who had helped her significantly, implicitly suggesting a new connection.
Sensing he was intruding, Qiao Yicheng started to leave, but Wen Ju'an suddenly stopped him and requested they meet again that evening, and he agreed to meet later. Back home, Qiao Erqiang was listening to music on his new walkman when Qiao Simei criticized his singing. Noticing the new scarf around his neck, she asked him to buy one for her.
Qiao Erqiang clarified it was a thank-you gift for his Master at the factory, who had given him the walkman and taught him much. When pressed for a description of his Master, he simply said, "like mom." Qiao Simei, ever opinionated about fashion, dismissed his preference for a yellow scarf, deeming it too "girly" and undignified, and cautioned him about attracting mosquitoes, stinkbugs, and bees in summer, remarking on his lack of aesthetic sense.
The girls at Qiao Sanli's school for textiles were excited to listen to a radio show, "Harbin Under the Curtain of Night," but the wired broadcast system was broken. After their attempt to fix it failed, Qiao Sanli volunteered to find Wang Yiding from the auto repair class to repair it. Wang Yiding successfully fixed the broadcast, but accidentally fell and sprained his ankle.
Feeling deeply apologetic, Qiao Sanli insisted on giving him a ride home on her bicycle, marking the beginning of their acquaintance. Qiao Yicheng returned to Nanjing, still fuming over Qiao Simei's escapade. He lay silently in bed, ignoring Simei, who guiltily kept her head down, daring not to breathe.
Qiao Sanli tried to mediate, telling Simei that Qiao Yicheng was constantly getting angry at the mention of Fei Xiang and suggested she put away her posters to avoid provoking him, reminding her that he might say harsh things but was soft-hearted. Simei feigned illness in an attempt to gain sympathy, claiming she felt nauseous, dizzy, and believed she was going to die as "repayment" for her mistakes, but Qiao Yicheng saw through the act and went to eat.
Realizing her "pity ploy" failed, she resorted to clinging to him, begging for forgiveness and offering him food, but he remained annoyed, comparing her to "sticky toffee." He told her to marry Fei Xiang and move far away. He also learned that her admiration for Fei Xiang had shifted to the boy band Xiao Hu Dui, prompting him to remark, "Now there are three" that she liked.
Qiao Erqiang bought a new scarf for Ma Suqin as a "return gift" for the walkman, but she found it in her bag and refused to accept it, telling him to give it to his sister instead. When he insisted, she threw it back at him, and he ran off, upset. Later, at work, Qiao Erqiang enthusiastically invited Ma Suqin to the newly opened skating rink at the Workers' Cultural Palace, eager for her to teach him.
She reluctantly agreed, and as they skated, their colleagues teased them, remarking that the "Master and apprentice" looked like a young couple. Qiao Erqiang was pleased, stating Ma Suqin wouldn't get angry at the comments, and Ma Suqin patiently taught him how to move his feet to skate. Qiao Sanli's bicycle underwent a remarkable transformation at Wang Yiding's hands.
Initially, she was upset, mistakenly believing he had used stolen parts from the school's materials room and told him to dismantle them and return the items. He quickly clarified that he was joking and that the parts were meticulously collected from old bikes he repaired for neighbors and from flea markets, a process he had undertaken over a long period.
Impressed by his ingenuity and skill, Qiao Sanli also admired a self-repaired headlamp he wore, noting its utility for riding at night. Her sister, Simei, even commented that the bike looked "completely new," and asked to borrow it. Qiao Yicheng remained distant from both Qiao Simei and Qi Weimin for two months, especially irritated by any mention of Fei Xiang. One day, while Qi Weimin was teaching Qiao Qiqi to ride a bicycle, they encountered Chang Xinyu.
Simei immediately sweet-talked Chang Xinyu, complimenting her appearance, and Chang Xinyu quickly helped Simei learn to ride as well. Qiao Qiqi, feeling neglected, ran to Qi Weimin to complain that Qiao Simei wouldn't let him ride the bike. Chang Xinyu noticed Qiao Qiqi's mended sleeve, and Qiao Qiqi proudly announced that Qi Weimin had sewn it for him and even made dresses for his "sister Xiao Ya."
Chang Xinyu looked at Qi Weimin with a complex mix of admiration, observing how kind he was. Wang Yiding's foot healed, but he continued to wait for Qiao Sanli after school, offering to push her bike and expressing his gratitude for her rides. He congratulated her on being an outstanding graduate. They soon discovered a fortunate coincidence: they were both assigned to the Jingling Wool Spinning Factory. Wang Yiding accompanied Qiao Sanli all the way home before reluctantly leaving.
However, as Qiao Sanli reached her doorstep, Wang Xuanen confronted her, confessing his long-standing affection and attempting to embrace her. Startled, Qiao Sanli cried for help. Wang Yiding, who had circled back, promptly intervened and chased Wang Xuanen away. Still shaken, Qiao Sanli crouched on the ground and recoiled when Wang Yiding tried to approach.
He then confessed that he had specifically inquired about her factory placement and worked hard to be assigned to the same one, expressing his desire to continue walking home with her. Qiao Sanli nodded, then picked up a piece of candy Wang Yiding had left on her bicycle seat. During a rare family dinner at home, Qiao Zuwang, seeing that Qiao Sanli had also started working, expressed his satisfaction that their lives were improving.
He reminisced about the hardships of raising four children alone, complaining about "Second Aunt" constantly asking for money, and subtly criticized Qiao Yicheng for not working and "studying this and that" instead of helping the family. Qiao Erqiang defended Qiao Yicheng, saying he was "the material for studying." Qiao Zuwang then declared his intention to buy a "real color TV" for the family, emphasizing it would be better than his sister's "fake" one.
He said he would contribute the largest share, 300 yuan, with the remaining cost to be split among the children, and mentioned his "connections" could get them a domestic "Panda brand" TV. Qiao Erqiang and Qiao Sanli each offered 200 yuan. Qiao Yicheng, however, stated he was an unemployed young man and couldn't pay. Qiao Zuwang then pointedly looked at Qiao Yicheng, accusing him of feigning poverty despite earning "manuscript fees" from his writing and tutoring.
When Qiao Yicheng remained silent, Qiao Zuwang angrily berated him, calling him selfish. Meanwhile, Qiao Sanli noticed Qiao Yicheng's pale face and asked if he was unwell, to which he replied, "My liver hurts."
