Wind Direction Episode 5 Recap
> Wind Direction Recap
The autumn of 1997 marked a new beginning for many students. For Qiang Xiaowa, living on a fishing boat with his grandfather, it was his first day of high school, a path his grandfather dearly hoped would lead to a better future. His grandfather urged him to hurry, stressing that school was his best option and not to cause any trouble. He insisted Xiaowa dress appropriately for the oil field school, which was more prestigious than those in the county.
As Xiaowa left, his grandfather, still anxious, reminded him to be a good boy and not stir up trouble. Meanwhile, at the Cheng household, it was also a bustling morning. Dr. Cheng Pengfei called out to his children, Miaomiao and Yaya, for breakfast. Miaomiao, however, was in a frantic search for her summer homework. Her brother, Yaya, quickly pointed out that she likely hadn't even started it.
Cheng Pengfei eventually found the missing homework tucked behind the sofa, ending the morning chaos before school. At school, in Grade 11, Class 1, Li Si burst in with exciting news, claiming their new homeroom teacher looked exactly like the famous actress Qiu Shuzhen. His classmates, including Miaomiao, were skeptical, reminding him of his notoriously unreliable eyesight. During their playful banter, Miaomiao noticed a familiar yet unfamiliar face enter the classroom.
In Grade 10, Class 1, Yaya and his classmates were less enthusiastic about a new girl, Yuan Shanqing, who entered with a bewildered expression. Whispers of discontent quickly spread among the students. Director Xiao arrived in Miaomiao's class to introduce Gao Feiyang as their new Chinese and homeroom teacher. Gao Feiyang, handsome and a high-achiever from Shanghai, instantly captivated the girls. Mr. Gao then introduced Qiang Xiaowa, the new transfer student.
Xiaowa remained silent and looked down, so Mr. Gao assigned him a seat next to Li Si. In Yaya's class, the new English teacher, Han Shu, was introduced as their homeroom teacher – the very "Qiu Shuzhen" Li Si had raved about. However, the students' attention quickly turned to Yuan Shanqing, openly rejecting her because her father was a wanted criminal. Director Xiao then arrived, reprimanding the students for their disruptive behavior.
When Ning Jiahe, Yuan Shanqing's deskmate, stood up and refused to sit with her, even threatening to drop out, Director Xiao bluntly told him he could leave. At that moment, Cheng Yaya stepped forward and bravely offered to sit with Yuan Shanqing. The arrival of Qiang Xiaowa, perceived by many as a "village kid," sparked curiosity among the students in Miaomiao's class, who wondered why the elite oil field school would accept someone from outside their community.
Despite Li Si’s attempts to engage him in conversation, Qiang Xiaowa remained unresponsive. Meanwhile, Han Shu, troubled by the class’s hostility towards Yuan Shanqing, sought advice from Gao Feiyang. Gao Feiyang reminded her that school was for students and teachers, not criminals, and that Yuan Shanqing’s ability to continue her education rested on Han Shu's leadership.
Cheng Miaomiao also tried to connect with Qiang Xiaowa, reminding him of when he helped her, Li Si, and Hu Qiumin by giving them a tricycle ride. Yet, Qiang Xiaowa still gave her no response, leaving Miaomiao wondering if he was deaf-mute. Outside the classroom, Yaya’s friends, Zhong Ruitao and Wang Fuqiang, discussed the shocking news that Yuan Yong's daughter was in their class.
They shared the tragic detail that Luo Zheng’s grandmother had tragically jumped into the river and died due to Yuan Yong’s fraud. They strongly advised Cheng Yaya to distance himself from Yuan Shanqing, but Yaya passionately argued that a child should not be held responsible for a parent’s crimes. After class, Yuan Shanqing quickly departed, seemingly to avoid further confrontation.
Later, Li Si tried to offer Qiang Xiaowa ten yuan as a belated thank you for the tricycle ride, but Qiang Xiaowa silently refused the money, much to Li Si's annoyance. Cheng Miaomiao, seeing this, defended Qiang Xiaowa, reminding Li Si that he had once saved them. Back home, Jia Daiyu was furious upon learning that Cheng Yaya was in the same class as Yuan Yong’s daughter.
She declared her intention to confront the teachers, reminding Cheng Pengfei that Yuan Yong was a fraud who had stolen from their factory. Cheng Pengfei, however, stood firm, arguing that children should not be punished for their parents' misdeeds and criticizing Jia Daiyu for gossiping like others. Jia Daiyu countered, describing Yuan Yong’s actions as "murder for money," and asserted that Yuan Shanqing must have benefited, thus deserving the backlash.
Later, Cheng Miaomiao tried to talk to a visibly frustrated Cheng Yaya, who, tired of everyone's judgment, snapped at her. Yaya recounted how Yuan Shanqing had been verbally attacked in class, with classmates refusing to sit with her and demanding her expulsion. He angrily told Miaomiao to leave him alone. Meanwhile, at home, Jia Daiyu also expressed her anxieties to Cheng Pengfei about a fraudulent oral liquid, containing tranquilizers, that Li Si had consumed.
She was worried about its impact on the children’s health and the money they had lost. She also reiterated the tragic death of Luo Zheng's grandmother due to Yuan Yong's scam and hoped the police would recover their stolen money, even wondering aloud if Yuan Shanqing knew where it was hidden. Cheng Pengfei tried to reassure her, saying the police would handle it. The next morning, Yuan Shanqing arrived late to class.
Qiang Xiaowa, still without a school uniform and with his long hair, drew the attention of Director Xiao. Despite Gao Feiyang’s attempts to mediate, Director Xiao firmly instructed Qiang Xiaowa to acquire a uniform and cut his hair, also noting that his poor Mandarin was an issue. Gao Feiyang promised to address these concerns. Soon after, some classmates approached Yuan Shanqing, urging her not to return to school, citing Luo Zheng’s grandmother’s suicide due to her father’s actions.
They warned her that Luo Zheng, known for his temper, would likely confront her. Yuan Shanqing, however, steadfastly refused, stating that her father's actions had no bearing on her and that skipping class would be a disciplinary violation. Observing Qiang Xiaowa's struggle, Gao Feiyang offered him further support, reiterating the school’s rules while assuring him that learning Mandarin was achievable and that he and other classmates would help. Qiang Xiaowa acknowledged the help.
Cheng Miaomiao, having overheard their conversation, proactively offered to help Qiang Xiaowa integrate and improve his Mandarin, a proposal warmly welcomed by Mr. Gao. Separately, Cheng Yaya approached Yuan Shanqing, offering words of encouragement, telling her to protect herself and ignore the others. Later, Cheng Yaya extended an ice lolly as an apology to Cheng Miaomiao, and they reconciled. Miaomiao shared how proud she was that their new homeroom teacher had asked her to help Qiang Xiaowa.
Just before class, Zhong Ruitao and Wang Fuqiang, seeking to mend fences with Cheng Yaya, also offered him an ice lolly. Despite the prior warnings, Luo Zheng arrived at school and, upon seeing Yuan Shanqing, angrily overturned her desk. Cheng Yaya quickly stepped in to right the desk and defuse the situation, reminding Luo Zheng that fighting in school would lead to expulsion and further legal trouble. Other students also urged Luo Zheng not to hit a girl.
Enraged, Luo Zheng accused them all of being "in cahoots with the wanted criminal." In Miaomiao's class, when Li Si and Cheng Miaomiao again tried to help Qiang Xiaowa with his Mandarin, he reacted by throwing away the practice tape. Li Si, angered by his perceived rudeness, cursed at him, which unexpectedly provoked Qiang Xiaowa to suddenly attack Li Si. The oilfield base was a close-knit community where everyone knew each other, and transfer students were unheard of.
The sudden arrival of Qiang Xiaowa and Yuan Shanqing, a girl burdened by the stigma of her father’s notorious fraud, sent ripples through their insular world. At the time, none of them could have foreseen how profoundly these two newcomers would become intertwined with the long trajectory of their lives.
