Episode Summary
Siyi travels to Italy to trace her roots, while research on the sunken ship is halted due to its lack of historical value, sparking conflict between Chen Rui and his mother. In Beijing, Xia Fenghua deals with work overload, and Xie Wanghe proposes measures to support delivery riders during a heatwave. Zhou Haikuo declines a job offer, causing tension with Xiaohui. A research team delves into the canal's history, and new clues about Ma Siyi emerge. The episode concludes with Wanghe and friends planning a trip home for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Ma Siyi journeying to Italy. Armed with photographs of herself and her grandmother, she's on a quest to trace her ancestry and uncover the truth behind Ma Fude's story. Meanwhile, back in China, the investigation into the sunken ship hits a snag. Experts determine that the wreck is less than a century old and lacks significant historical value, leading Gu Alian to halt further excavation.
This decision infuriates Chen Rui, Ailian's son. He's outraged that the ship, once touted as a cultural landmark, is being abandoned now that the Grand Canal has achieved World Heritage status. The mother-son clash escalates, with Chen Rui vowing to personally fund the ship's research, determined to prove its importance to Flower Street.
Meanwhile, life in Beijing is hectic. Xia Fenghua is swamped at her courier station due to traffic restrictions and overflowing warehouses. She manages the chaos with impressive efficiency, working tirelessly from dawn till dusk, only to face another round of sorting. At the same time, Beijing braces for a heatwave. Xie Wanghe, concerned about the delivery riders' well-being, proposes a temporary pay raise to boost morale. Qiu Lin objects, citing profit concerns, but Meng Wei approves Wanghe's plan, with the caveat that wages must return to normal after the heatwave. Wanghe also implements heatstroke prevention measures, and Zhou Haikuo launches a self-developed map ahead of schedule to improve rider navigation.
Haikuo's tech skills impress Meng Wei, who privately offers him a position as Chief Technology Officer at headquarters. Haikuo politely declines, feeling a sense of loyalty to Wanghe. Meng Wei encourages him to reconsider and keep the offer confidential.
Back at the courier station, Fenghua experiences dizziness from the heat. Her mother-in-law, concerned, rushes to her aid, but Fenghua dismisses it as low blood sugar. Later, Wanghe brings Fenghua a meal from their hometown, and they share a lighthearted moment. However, Fenghua nearly faints, revealing her exhaustion. Wanghe worries about her hands-on approach, but Fenghua believes in leading by example.
After work, Haikuo goes clothes shopping with Xiaohui. She's worried about expenses, but when she learns about Meng Wei's job offer, she's ecstatic. Her joy turns to anger when Haikuo reveals he turned it down, accusing him of lacking ambition. That evening, Wanghe, Shao Xingchi, and Haikuo gather, and Haikuo vents about Xiaohui and Meng Wei's attempt to poach him. He assures them he won't leave for headquarters. Wanghe, while wanting Haikuo to stay, acknowledges that Xiaohui has valid points and doesn't want to cause friction between them.
Meanwhile, Shao Bingyi's genealogical research confirms his ancestors were porters. Inspired, he forms a research team with Zhou Yipu, Chen Rui, and Chen Bo. They passionately traverse the streets, visiting hundreds of families along the canal, discovering unique artifacts, and collecting fascinating anecdotes.
The successful World Heritage application has led to the establishment of numerous private museums along the canal, deepening their understanding of its history. Their dedication to the sunken ship makes them local celebrities, attracting more people willing to help solve the mystery. Chen Rui is thrilled, feeling closer to the truth and fulfilling his promise to Siyi.
Amidst everyone's busy lives, news arrives from the county archives: an elderly descendant of the Dong family has been found, providing concrete evidence of their ancestry. Zhou Yipu visits a quiet bar where Ma Siyi's music is playing. The owner reveals that Siyi had been there and left a photograph.
On the way home, Chen Rui gazes at the photo, later sharing it with the group. Everyone is deeply moved by this information about Siyi. The next morning, Wanghe and Xingchi discuss He Tianming, but Xingchi is reluctant to talk. Fenghua and Wanghe plan a trip home for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Wanghe rents a car, and the four friends embark on a long journey back to their hometown.
