Episode Summary
Xie Wanghe is caught by the police while trying to steal oil to help his family, leading to a confrontation with Officer Shen Yong, who reveals a surprising connection to Xie Wanghe's father. Ma Siyi seeks a job to alleviate her financial burdens, while family tensions and financial woes simmer in the background.
Spoiler Alert
In this episode, the struggles of making ends meet and the complexities of relationships take center stage.
Ma Siyi, desperate for money, approaches Zhou Yanlin for a part-time job at the restaurant, even hoping for an advance on her wages. Zhou Yanlin sees her hardship and offers a loan instead, not wanting her to compromise her studies. However, Ma Siyi is insistent, so he reluctantly agrees to let her work weekends only.
Meanwhile, Xie Wanghe and his friends embark on a risky venture. They sneak to the river at night, planning to steal oil from boats. Their plan is foiled when the police arrive, sirens blaring. Everyone scatters, but Xie Wanghe stays behind to cover his friends' escape and is caught. Xia Fenghua is distraught, and Shao Xingchi suggests asking Chen Rui to get his mother, Gu Alian, to intervene.
However, Chen Rui is in no position to help. He's receiving a stern lecture from his mother, with his father silently enduring the scolding. Gu Alian refuses to help Xie Wanghe when she learns why he was arrested. Chen Rui tries to sneak out to visit Xie Wanghe but is stopped by his mother, resulting in him falling down the stairs.
Inside the police car, a terrified Xie Wanghe pleads with Officer Shen Yong, explaining he's a first-time offender. He learns that Shen Yong has a history with his father, Xie Tiancheng, and fears he'll use this opportunity for revenge, potentially ruining his life. Shen Yong plays on Xie Wanghe's fears but then takes him to a late-night food stall. Xia Fenghua, Shao Xingchi, and Zhou Haikuo secretly watch from a distance.
Over food, Xie Wanghe boasts about his grand plans for making money and criticizes his father for missing opportunities, going from being a "boat boss" to a "boat underling." Shen Yong, angered by Xie Wanghe's disrespect, slams the table. After calming down, he tells Xie Wanghe about his past with Xie Tiancheng.
Shen Yong reveals that he was often bullied by Xie Tiancheng as a child. However, when Shen Yong's mother fell ill, Xie Tiancheng brought money to their house, not only lending them money but also hiring a caregiver and organizing friends to help at the hospital. He urged Shen Yong to focus on his studies. Shen Yong emphasizes that Xie Tiancheng is a man of integrity and hopes Xie Wanghe won't disgrace his father.
After Shen Yong leaves, Xia Fenghua and the others take Xie Wanghe home. The failed money-making scheme forces them to find another way. Ma Siyi overhears their conversation and is furious at Xie Wanghe's recklessness. She tells him to take care of himself and retreats to her room, crying. Grandma Ma consoles her, saying she's always known about Xie Wanghe's feelings. She recounts how he's always been devoted to Ma Siyi, even getting injured for her. She shares a story about Xie Wanghe trying to show off his "knowledge" by sticking a wire in an electrical socket, getting electrocuted, highlighting his impulsive but loyal nature.
Later that night, Xie Wanghe can't sleep due to his father's snoring. He finds his mother still calculating finances in the living room. The shipping business is failing, and Liang Haihong is considering selling the boat to start a land-based transportation business. Xie Wanghe feels guilty for not being able to help and promises his mother that he'll make them proud one day.
Li Yan stays up late making leather bags to supplement the family income. She talks about her mother-in-law, who favors sons over daughters and always arrives with a horde of relatives, eating their food and complaining about their poverty. Li Yan recounts how her mother-in-law claimed to have given her a Han Dynasty jade pendant as a wedding gift, which turned out to be a cheap imitation. Xia Fenghua and Li Yan chat and laugh, with Xia Fenghua speaking fondly of Xie Wanghe. However, Li Yan throws cold water on her hopes, imagining Xie Wanghe and Ma Siyi as a glamorous couple visiting her humble stall, leaving Xia Fenghua disheartened.
The next day, the group heads to school without Ma Siyi. Xia Maotian complains to Xie Tiancheng, who advises him to establish rules at home, asserting male dominance. Meanwhile, Liu Yuling is injured by her husband, Shao Bingyi. Liang Haihong is furious and tells her she needs to be assertive at home. Chen Rui's father, Chen Bo, also advises Shao Bingyi that women need to be coaxed. Grandma Ma, knowing Luo Zhimei has gone to Hengdian (a film studio), urges him to stay in touch with his wife, emphasizing the importance of mutual support.
