Wind Direction Episode 18 Recap
> Wind Direction Recap
Qiang Xiaowa vividly recalled his difficult journey through education to Cheng Miaomiao. He had always excelled academically, ranking first in both elementary and middle school. His family made immense sacrifices for his schooling; his older brother left school after junior high to work, and his grandpa toiled tirelessly despite his age and declining health, all to ensure Xiaowa could continue his studies. Xiaowa explained that for some, like Cheng Miaomiao, going to school was a given, an automatic next step.
But for him, it was a desperate struggle where even his best efforts might not secure a place. His hopes were dashed the day he graduated from junior high as the top student, proudly holding his award. It was then he discovered that his village had no high school, and since high school wasn't part of the compulsory nine-year education, he couldn't continue. Other village children simply went off to work after junior high.
Unwilling to give up, Xiaowa's grandpa sought help from his former elementary school principal. The principal knew of high schools in the Hexi oil field and offered to help. Xiaowa waited anxiously. When the school year began, the principal took him to three different high schools, but all rejected him, stating they were "oil field internal high schools" that did not admit outsiders.
Xiaowa felt immense unfairness, questioning why education depended on location rather than academic merit, especially after consistently achieving first place. Defeated, he spent two months sitting by the beach, his hair growing long, feeling all hope draining away. The old principal brought him high school textbooks and urged him to study independently. Xiaowa initially refused, seeing no point in learning when he could earn more money selling fish fry.
The principal firmly told him not to give up, stressing that knowledge, once acquired, is always one's own, and that education would undoubtedly change his destiny. He encouraged Xiaowa to fight for this opportunity himself. Inspired, Xiaowa began to self-study diligently, carrying his books everywhere, buying study materials with his earnings, and practicing English with tapes, though his pronunciation was imperfect. Cheng Miaomiao was impressed by his dedication, wondering how he eventually got into their school.
Xiaowa recounted that one day, the old principal excitedly informed him that he had contacted the newly appointed principal of No. 2 Middle School in the oil field, Principal Qin. This new principal had then arranged a meeting with the factory leadership, who, after deliberation, offered Xiaowa an entrance exam. If he passed, he would be given a spot. Principal Qin himself praised Xiaowa's excellent grades.
However, Xiaowa still felt uneasy, burdened by the thought of his grandpa selling everything and the old principal humbling himself to countless people for his sake. Cheng Miaomiao, realizing the depth of his struggle, apologized for her earlier misunderstandings, assuring him that his admission was based on his own merit. Xiaowa, in turn, told her that he knew she always meant well. During their conversation, Hua'er arrived.
Cheng Miaomiao was shocked to learn that Hua'er, only sixteen, had been sent by her parents to work and earn money for her brother's wedding dowry. Xiaowa added that their town no longer had any high schools, leaving Hua'er with no educational path. Deeply moved by Hua'er's desperate longing to escape oppression through education, Cheng Miaomiao immediately suggested Hua'er could attend their school. Later, Cheng Miaomiao and Li Si were not speaking.
Hu Qiumin quickly deduced that Li Si was jealous, pointing out his petty nature and how he couldn't stand Miaomiao getting along with other boys better than him. Ignoring Li Si, Cheng Miaomiao brought Qiang Xiaowa to discuss Hua'er's situation with their teacher, Gao Feiyang. Li Si, left behind, muttered in confusion, "Who is Hua'er? What's all this about going to school?"
After class, as Cheng Miaomiao and Qiang Xiaowa walked together, a sad melody played in Li Si's mind, reflecting his growing unhappiness. Meanwhile, Hu Yue called her mother, asking if she had inquired about the Walkman. Her mother confirmed that Yang Songbai had bought it randomly in Beijing after seeing others buy one. Hu Qiumin interjected that the Walkman was quite expensive, but Hu Yue casually dismissed it, remarking, "How expensive could something bought randomly be?"
Cheng Miaomiao and Qiang Xiaowa took Gao Feiyang to meet Hua'er. Hua'er earnestly expressed her strong desire to study, explaining that her grades were good before, but her parents forced her to work. She mentioned that many children in her village were in similar situations and that she was the only one still attending school. Hua'er pleaded with Gao Feiyang, believing that only through studying, as Qiang Xiaowa had taught her, could she change her destiny.
Gao Feiyang, touched by her determination, promised to speak with the school leadership the next day. At the Cheng family home, Yuan Shanqing brought a large batch of homemade buns, which Jia Daiyu praised. Jia Daiyu then chided her children, Cheng Miaomiao and her brother, for being "useless" and only knowing how to eat, implying they were spoiled. Her son jokingly agreed. Jia Daiyu wondered where Miaomiao was, and her son mentioned she was likely at Hu Qiumin's house.
Later, as Qiang Xiaowa walked Cheng Miaomiao home, Li Si ambushed them, demanding to know where they had been. Xiaowa ignored him, but Miaomiao retorted. Li Si accused her of being out late and suggested she might as well live in the fishing village. Miaomiao shot back with insults, sparking a heated argument. Li Si stormed home and slammed the door, which enraged his father, Li Dahai, who threatened to discipline him.
Seeing the escalating conflict, Niu Lingling cleverly feigned a sudden dizzy spell and a severe headache, diverting her husband's anger and successfully defusing the tension between father and son. The next day, Gao Feiyang met with Director Xiao Fang to request a transfer student quota for Hua'er. Xiao Fang, however, was already annoyed with Gao Feiyang, complaining about his class's constant troubles and his decision to abolish academic rankings, which she believed removed student motivation.
She likened teachers to shepherds who must "crack the whip" to keep students on track. Gao Feiyang desperately used her own metaphor, pleading that if she didn't grant the transfer slot, Hua'er would be "snatched by the wolves." Xiao Fang remained unyielding, stressing that the school was for oil field children only and that Qiang Xiaowa's admission was a rare exception. She complained of rising blood pressure due to these unusual requests and dismissed Gao Feiyang, refusing the transfer.
This news left Cheng Miaomiao and Qiang Xiaowa deeply disappointed. Miaomiao, refusing to let Hua'er suffer like Xiaowa had, decided to approach Xiao Fang herself, convinced that the director, though outwardly tough, had a soft heart and could be persuaded. Meanwhile, Jia Baoshan approached Han Shu under the pretense of seeking advice on Cheng Miaomiao's English grades. He insisted on discussing it over dinner at Xiaoshudu Restaurant.
Xiao Fang, unexpectedly appearing, invited herself along, stating that student matters were her responsibility. At the restaurant, Jia Baoshan tried to impress Han Shu by offering to order special Shanghai dishes, even urging her to call him "Baoshan." However, the restaurant owner, Ling, who was clearly familiar with Xiao Fang, chided Jia Baoshan for trying to order Shanghai cuisine in her Sichuan restaurant, then humorously suggested her signature dishes, which Xiao Fang also favored.
Han Shu, feeling uncomfortable with Jia Baoshan's obvious advances, found an excuse to leave early, claiming she had papers to grade. This left Xiao Fang to dine alone with Jia Baoshan. Later that night, Cheng Miaomiao and Qiang Xiaowa waited outside Xiao Fang's dormitory. They soon saw Jia Baoshan helping a heavily intoxicated Xiao Fang home.
Xiao Fang, in her drunken state, loudly proclaimed her dedication to the school, declaring she was "married to Linqi No. 2 High School" before lamenting her desire for a home. Miaomiao recognized the familiar figure as her uncle, Jia Baoshan, as he struggled to get Xiao Fang into her room. Jia Baoshan, startled to see them, stammered that "it's not what you think."
Li Si then arrived, confronting his uncle about his supposed change of heart from Han Shu to Xiao Fang, and even referencing a past interest in Wang Chanchan. He dramatically accused Jia Baoshan of having been "lying on Director Xiao's bed" and questioned his uncle's integrity. Jia Baoshan, flustered, vehemently denied the accusations. Li Si then handed Jia Baoshan Xiao Fang's bag, which she had left at the restaurant.
Miaomiao, trying to ease the situation, promised not to tell anyone, especially Han Shu. This only made Jia Baoshan more anxious. Li Si confidently declared that a match between Jia Baoshan and Han Shu was "simply impossible." Observing the comical scene, Cheng Miaomiao boldly suggested to her uncle, "Why don't you pursue Director Xiao? I think you two might be a good match." Reflecting on the day's events, Cheng Miaomiao mused that no one truly lives a perpetually sweet life.
While some might fret over unmet desires or unrequited love, others, like Hua'er and Yuan Shanqing, faced profound struggles, trying to overcome poverty and difficult educational paths. Their hardships made her own worries seem trivial, starkly highlighting the difference between her straightforward path to school and their arduous "journey from the mud to an unreachable place."
