Wind Direction Episode 29 Recap
> Wind Direction Recap
Li Dahai was overcome with grief after hearing the devastating news, his hands trembling as he drove. Meanwhile, his son Li Si was in class, boastfully claiming that Xiao Fang was his uncle's wife. However, Xiao Fang overheard him, reprimanded him for having his feet on the table, and made him mop the floor. Li Si playfully insisted he was doing it out of a patriotic heart for the school.
Li Dahai and Niu Lingling rushed to the hospital, where the doctor confirmed Li Si's diagnosis: intestinal cancer. Niu Lingling broke down in tears. The doctor explained that the oilfield hospital's resources were limited and advised them to seek treatment in a larger city immediately. He candidly revealed that the disease was already in an advanced stage, making surgery highly unlikely. Only conservative treatment could extend Li Si's life, likely for only three to six months.
That evening, Li Si returned home to find his father, Li Dahai, home surprisingly early and cooking dinner. Li Si sensed something was amiss, suspecting his parents had fought or were hiding a big secret, but his mother tried to reassure him. Elsewhere, Cheng Pengfei discussed Li Si's illness with Jia Daiyu, expressing concern for how Niu Lingling would cope. Jia Daiyu confirmed the diagnosis was accurate, based on the biopsy.
At the dinner table, Cheng Miaomiao recounted how Xiao Fang, who had recently become much gentler, had scolded Li Si for bragging about her being his aunt. Jia Daiyu admonished Miaomiao, reminding her of Li Si's kindness throughout their lives and urging her to treat him better, especially since they would soon part ways after high school. Miaomiao, however, declared they would never separate, as Li Si had promised to go wherever she went.
Later that night, Li Dahai and Niu Lingling cried silently in their bedroom, tormented by the knowledge of their son's illness. The next morning, they insisted on driving Li Si to school, much to his delight, telling him it was on their way. Li Si enjoyed the "young master" treatment and even offered Cheng Miaomiao a ride. Cheng Miaomiao came home to find Jia Baoshan and Xiao Fang at her house.
Her mother, Jia Daiyu, told her to go to Xiaoshudu Restaurant for dinner, explaining that they were discussing serious matters. Curiosity piqued, Miaomiao secretly listened in and overheard Jia Baoshan discussing Li Si's cancer diagnosis, even suggesting traditional Chinese medicine. Overwhelmed, Miaomiao shared the heartbreaking news with her friends. Amidst their tears, they made a solemn pact not to tell Li Si, vowing to protect him and ensure his remaining time was filled with happiness.
Li Dahai urged Niu Lingling to stay strong and not show any weakness, reminding her that a stable emotional state was crucial for Li Si, and they needed to act like "undercover agents." Niu Lingling despaired, questioning why this burden had fallen on her. To cover the high cost of treatment, Niu Lingling decided to sell Xiaoshudu Restaurant, hoping the proceeds would be enough. One day, Li Si playfully kicked Xiao Fang in the school hallway.
Instead of her usual sternness, Xiao Fang gently straightened his uniform, commented on his growing hair, and calmly advised everyone to be careful. Li Si observed that being in love seemed to have made her a lot softer. Later, Li Si's friends took him to an arcade to cheer him up, where he proudly demonstrated his "Arcade King" skills on "The King of Fighters."
However, Li Si began to notice unusual behavior, such as Qiang Xiaowa doing his cleaning duty for him and Cheng Miaomiao and Hu Qiumin waiting for him with breakfast in the morning. Qiang Xiaowa managed to borrow a boat, and the group of friends joyfully ventured out to sea on the "Windward." Li Si, ever the cheerful one, asked Xiaowa to teach him how to sail. They mused about Yuan Shanqing and planned another sailing trip upon her return.
Cheng Miaomiao reiterated her desire for them to never be apart, and Li Si, looking out at the vast ocean, promised that their bond would last a lifetime. They wondered about the "outside world" beyond the sea and vowed to explore it together. Later, Niu Lingling went to Li Si's room and asked him to take a leave from school to go to Beijing for a minor surgery to remove a polyp found during a previous gastroenteroscopy.
She reassured him it was a small issue and used Li Dahai's connections in a Beijing hospital as an excuse, also framing it as a long-desired trip. Li Si, worried about his upcoming exams, was reluctant. Niu Lingling then announced her plan to sell Xiaoshudu Restaurant, claiming she was tired. Li Dahai supported her, adding that he was also leaving the drilling team to work in an office due to age and fatigue.
Li Si, bewildered by these sudden, major family changes, joked about being left out of the decision-making process. His parents wished him sweet dreams, telling him they would arrange the Beijing trip soon. Cheng Miaomiao gave Li Si a handmade "little bell," revealing she had a matching one. Li Si teased her about being superstitious like his mother but admitted he liked the idea of matching items symbolizing good luck.
Then, one day, Li Si disappeared, leaving behind his lucky charms, a recorded message, and a letter. In his recording, he explained that he knew something was wrong when everyone started being overly nice to him. He had found the poorly hidden test report, realizing his condition was terminal. He tried his best to play along, putting on a brave face so as not to disappoint them.
However, he was deeply moved when he witnessed his father, Li Dahai, who had never believed in ghosts or gods, secretly praying for him, kneeling before a Buddha statue late at night. He confessed that he could no longer keep up the act. He revealed he was the one who spread rumors that Xiaoshudu Restaurant had bad feng shui, hoping to prevent his mother from selling it.
He then recounted secretly reading his father's work diary, which meticulously documented his life from infancy, including his first performance, his schooling, and his childhood wish to marry Miaomiao. The diary's final entry was a heartfelt prayer from his father: "God, can I exchange my life for my son's?" Li Si expressed his sadness at leaving his parents and friends.
He gave specific instructions: Hu Qiumin should take a photo of Central Crossroads in Hong Kong for him, and Qiang Xiaowa should look after Miaomiao and Yaya, especially Miaomiao, and help her to mature. He also asked Yaya to care for Miaomiao and assured them he would pray for Yuan Shanqing. Addressing Miaomiao directly, he acknowledged her fear and tears, reminiscing about his lifelong wish to marry her.
He apologized for breaking that promise and for not being able to accompany her to the places she dreamed of. Nevertheless, he vowed that she would always have him, promising to protect her from anyone who dared to bully her, even from the afterlife. Li Si concluded his message by asserting that he would decide when to leave this world, not wanting anyone to witness his suffering or mourn his passing.
He asked everyone to remember his carefree self and to bid him a happy farewell. He ended his message by saying, "I love you all. . . forever." Taking the little bell Miaomiao made for him, Li Si set sail alone on a small boat, heading towards the horizon. In the aftermath, Yuan Shanqing's act of killing Yuan Yong was ultimately ruled as self-defense. On the day of her release, Cheng Yaya was there early to greet her.
The narrator reflected on a bittersweet youth where no one's innocence was spared, and they experienced an incomplete farewell. She wished that time could be rewound, and none of these painful events had occurred. She prayed that Li Si, in another world, would never feel anger. She lamented that they couldn't have stayed in the oilfield forever, never to be separated. With Li Si's departure, their youth came to an end.
