Episode Summary
Zhou Yanlin rejects a business opportunity in Beijing, causing conflict with Luo Zhimei and Zhou Haikuo. Family tensions rise, and Luo Zhimei leaves. Xie Wanghe is attacked, while Xie Tiancheng saves a life. The supermarket faces financial troubles, and relationships are tested.
Spoiler Alert
The Canal Family's restaurant is suddenly visited by two executives from the food and beverage industry. Luo Zhimei personally introduces them to Zhou Yanlin, as they're eager to invite him to Beijing to open a Huaiyang cuisine restaurant, even presenting him with design blueprints. However, Zhou Yanlin firmly rejects the offer, stating his dislike for big cities where, in his opinion, no one truly takes the time to savor good food. Luo Zhimei feels her good intentions have been completely disregarded. Her hope was to create an opportunity for both father and son in Beijing, but Zhou Yanlin's stubbornness leads to a heated argument, ending on a sour note.
That evening, Luo Zhimei vents her frustrations to Zhou Yipu. He advises her to give Zhou Yanlin some space and to avoid forcing him into a life he doesn't want. Zhou Yipu reminds Luo Zhimei that Zhou Yanlin followed him around in the past, experiencing many hardships in Beijing. The only time he truly smiled was when he was cooking, specifically on Flower Street, where he was loved by the local community.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yanlin closes the restaurant early and returns to the Courtyard. Zhou Haikuo is engrossed in video games and barely acknowledges his father, eventually asking him when he plans to get a divorce. Zhou Haikuo is angry that Zhou Yanlin refuses to go to Beijing and hasn't tried to salvage his relationship with Luo Zhimei, believing that divorce is too cruel for the children. Zhou Yanlin, concerned for his son, seeks out Luo Zhimei to discuss how they can minimize the impact on the children, regardless of their future decisions.
The next morning, Luo Zhimei leaves Flower Street with her luggage. Zhou Haikuo pretends to be asleep, avoiding a farewell, but secretly watches his mother depart from his room. Ge Siwei, who has been staying on Flower Street for a few days, is showing significant improvement. The neighborhood mothers believe Grandma Ma shouldn't have taken him in, but Grandma Ma hopes to earn some goodwill from Siwei's mother, believing that she might treat Ma Siyi better if Grandma Ma passes away someday. However, the others think Siwei's mother is inherently selfish.
In the evening, Ma Siyi brings Ge Siwei home, scolding him for getting into a fight with his classmates. Ge Siwei blames his "brother-in-law," Xie Wanghe, for teaching him a useless scam, irritating Ma Siyi, who chases after him. After Ge Siwei falls asleep, Grandma Ma encourages Ma Siyi to consider a relationship with Xie Wanghe. However, Ma Siyi believes Xie Wanghe is interested in Xia Fenghua and is focused on her college entrance exams.
Xia Maotian returns home and tells his wife that Xie Tiancheng's pride has led to many unsold goods and significant financial losses for their supermarket. Overhearing her parents arguing, Xia Fenghua rushes to inform Xie Wanghe. Xie Wanghe subtly inquires about the situation with his father and offers to find some resources on how to improve the supermarket's operations, but Xie Tiancheng criticizes him harshly.
Because of his son's words, Xie Tiancheng blames himself for the supermarket's losses. The next day, he takes the unsold goods back to the supplier, who reluctantly agrees to take back the bottled water but refuses to refund the soon-to-expire bread. Xie Tiancheng is once again disheartened and gets heavily drunk at home. Xie Wanghe tries to stop him but is rebuked.
After school, Xie Wanghe is attacked by a group of thugs. Fortunately, Shao Xingchi, Zhou Haikuo, and others arrive in time, but Xie Wanghe still suffers an arm injury. The person who hired the thugs is Brother Hai, who is still holding a grudge and wants revenge. Meanwhile, Xie Tiancheng sees an elderly man attempting suicide by jumping into the river. Without hesitation, Xie Tiancheng jumps in and rescues him, saving the man's life.
Xia Fenghua learns that Xie Wanghe is in the hospital and rushes to his side, crying worriedly about his injuries. Xie Tiancheng, who had taken the rescued elderly man to the hospital, sees Xie Wanghe and the others. Everyone helps Xie Wanghe conceal the truth about the attack, but Xie Tiancheng is clearly unconvinced and carries him home himself. Because of the excess bread, Xie Tiancheng gives it away to the neighbors, which angers Li Yan, who argues with Xia Maotian back in their room.
