Wind Direction Episode 26 Recap
> Wind Direction Recap
Qiang Xiaowa wrote an essay about his homeland, describing his birth in a fishing village where his family lived in a boat anchored at the shore. For 17 years, his life was a struggle. His illiterate grandfather, who found him abandoned in an embroidered quilt, firmly believed that education could change their fate. He toiled for over ten hours daily, dedicating every penny to sending Qiang Xiaowa and his older brother to school.
However, it wasn't enough to support both children. So, his older brother made the sacrifice, giving Qiang Xiaowa the chance to study, and left for the south with just a quilt, saying that at least one of them needed to get an education. One day, a different kind of people, children of oilfield workers, moved across the river. Their side was always lit with thousands of lights and filled with laughter, a stark contrast across the bridge.
Qiang Xiaowa studied harder, hoping to escape his impoverished side of the river, but poverty seemed to stifle his only opportunity. Yet, he eventually found his chance to study and gained a group of cherished friends, realizing they were all nurtured by the same land and, in the end, were all the same. Hu Qiumin rushed to the hospital and, identifying herself as Yang Songbai's daughter, signed the surgery consent form for Yang Songbai, who was already in surgery.
Cheng Pengfei tried to comfort her, but the situation was dire as Yang Songbai’s injuries were severe. Jia Baoshan also hurried to the hospital after learning that Xiao Fang was injured while helping with flood relief at school. Meanwhile, Hu Yue called from Beijing. Cheng Yaya answered and excitedly called Jia Daiyu to take the phone, saying "something happened."
Jia Daiyu and Niu Lingling tried to keep the seriousness of the situation from Hu Yue, assuring her that Hu Qiumin was fine and out playing with Cheng Miaomiao despite the heavy rain. Feeling uneasy, Hu Yue pressed them, and they quickly ended the call, claiming they were busy. Jia Baoshan finally located Xiao Fang in the treatment room.
He was relieved to find her injuries were not serious; she had simply fallen into a ditch while assisting in the flood. He light-heartedly scolded her for being careless, prompting Xiao Fang to jokingly accuse him of wanting her dead, which he promptly denied, admitting his heart pounded with fear when he heard she was hospitalized. She then received a tetanus shot. Outside, Yang Songbai's surgery concluded.
Dr. Wang informed Hu Qiumin that while his life was no longer in immediate danger, he had sustained a spinal injury and might never regain the ability to walk. Soon after, Li Dahai returned, exhausted from flood relief. Niu Lingling, immensely relieved to see him safe, tearfully recounted Yang Songbai’s severe spinal injury, fearing he might become a "vegetable."
Later, Hu Qiumin poured out her sorrow to Cheng Miaomiao, confessing her past annoyance with Yang Songbai and how much she had wanted them to divorce. Now, despite their divorce, she regretted seeing him in such a state. She recalled his commanding presence on an offshore platform and his promise that they would remain a family.
The burden of signing his consent form weighed heavily on her, as she felt she wasn’t legally his family anymore, yet there was no one else to sign. Hu Yue abruptly returned from Beijing and arrived at the hospital, finding Yang Songbai still unconscious in bed and Hu Qiumin sitting by his side, distraught.
Jia Daiyu and Niu Lingling tried to dissuade Hu Yue from getting involved, reminding her that her own life was finally moving in a positive direction and questioning why she would tie herself to such an "unknown" future. Hu Yue, understanding their concern, decided she would wait until Yang Songbai woke up before making any firm decisions.
Late that night, police officer Jiang Feng from Wancheng Road Police Station knocked on Yuan Shanqing’s door, stating they needed to ask her a few questions. Yuan Shanqing agreed to speak with him. Back at the hospital, Yang Songbai finally regained consciousness and immediately asked if Hu Yue was there. The doctors assessed his condition, noting that he couldn't move his toes.
Yuan Shanqing later informed Cheng Miaomiao that Lin Xiu, Zi's mother, had been arrested, and the police had inquired about Yuan Yong, but she had not revealed his return. Yang Songbai insisted that Yang Tao, who had upcoming exams, not be informed of his condition, nor should his mother or brother. He preferred to face his recovery alone. Cheng Pengfei assured him that he had fallen from a great height and that recovery would take time.
Niu Lingling and Jia Daiyu continued to advise Hu Yue that the factory and company would provide care, but Hu Yue expressed concern about Yang Songbai's temper if he realized he would never walk again. She decided to stay with him for the time being. Over a month later, Yang Songbai’s legs remained numb. In a fit of despair, he angrily jabbed his leg with a pen, demanding to know from Hu Yue if he would be permanently incapacitated.
Hu Yue remained silent. Soon after, the leaders from No. 3 Factory visited. They presented Yang Songbai with a medal and a substantial bonus, commending his heroic act of manually reducing pressure during the incident, which prevented a far greater catastrophe. They also announced that his promotion to deputy manager would take effect as soon as he recovered. Overcome by a mix of powerlessness and rage, Yang Songbai began to smash objects in his hospital room.
Hu Yue stepped outside to regain her composure before returning to clean up the mess. He then confronted her, tearfully acknowledging that he would never walk again and would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He screamed at Hu Yue to leave, accusing her of pitying him, and declared he needed no one. Hu Yue, unwavering, stood her ground.
She told him she was not leaving and that, from that moment on, he would listen to her. Finally, Yang Songbai broke down, sobbing that everyone had lied to him. Meanwhile, Jia Baoshan diligently cared for Xiao Fang, bringing her special meals like pig's trotter soup, claiming customers' requests come first. At the Cheng family's dinner, Hu Qiumin was encouraged to eat well and take care of herself while awaiting Yang Songbai and Hu Yue's return.
Cheng Yaya was asked to take some ribs to Yuan Shanqing later. At the hospital, Hu Yue continued assisting Yang Songbai with his rehabilitation exercises. She informed him that she had asked Hu Qiumin to move all his belongings from his dormitory back to his house.
Then, with a wry smile, she told him not to be sentimental, jokingly declaring her "motives": she intended to claim his salary, bonus, and promotion to deputy manager as compensation for the hardships she endured during their marriage when he had nothing and bought her no jewelry. She insisted she wasn’t taking care of him for free and expected double wages. Late at night, Yuan Yong, walking with a limp, arrived at Yuan Shanqing's home.
He was seen playing with Zi, but soon revealed his true intention: to sell Zi to a wealthy family. He believed this would secure Zi a better life and relieve Yuan Shanqing of her "burden." Yuan Shanqing desperately pleaded with him to surrender to the police, explaining that he would receive a lighter sentence. Yuan Yong scoffed at the idea, convinced that Lin Xiu would blame everything on him, leading to a death sentence.
When he reiterated his plan to sell Zi, Yuan Shanqing, horrified that he would sell his own daughter, scooped Zi into her arms, backing into a corner, and screamed for help. Yuan Yong lunged at her and began to choke her, but Cheng Yaya appeared just in time and tackled him. The narration concluded, reflecting on that dangerous early summer when everyone was on edge, uncertain of when the storm and floods would cease, or if their elders were safe. Although their homeland was protected, their youth faced its own disaster, and that summer changed their lives forever.
