Episode Summary
Family secrets and strained relationships are at the forefront. Qian Kang's family decides to return to their ancestral village to dispel rumors, upsetting Qian Jiayue's plans. Zhang Qiming fakes an illness to get money from his estranged wife, Zhang Min, who finally returns, causing emotional turmoil for their son, Mao Tou. Qian Jiayue faces resentment from her cousin, Jiali, who is being forced to drop out of school.
Spoiler Alert
This episode dives deep into family secrets, long-simmering resentments, and the clash between tradition and modern life. Qian Kang has been acting strange and distant. His wife, Chen Xiu'e, notices his discomfort (he complains of back pain), and her concern grows when he receives a tense phone call from his younger brother in Jiangxi. Qian Kang is evasive, hanging up abruptly and making a return call in private. Chen Xiu'e, suspicious, eavesdrops using an extension.
She overhears Qian Kang's brother complaining about the rumors swirling in their home village. The gossip centers on Qian Kang having "married into" his wife's family in Shanghai (a cultural taboo implying he's subservient) and even includes a bizarre claim that he drinks foot-washing water. The brother-in-law's words are harsh, and Chen Xiu'e, furious, immediately declares they'll return to Jiangxi for the New Year to confront the lies.
Their daughter, Qian Jiayue, is upset by this sudden change of plans. She's worried she won't be back in time for a special surprise she's planning for Xiao Han, her crush. She's even prepared a romantic gift, using Chang Wuji's method to project a starry sky onto the ceiling of Mao Tou's house using her computer.
Meanwhile, another family drama unfolds. Zhang Qiming writes a letter to Mao Tou's long-absent mother, Zhang Min, demanding a divorce. He's been harboring resentment for years since Zhang Min left for Japan. He and Mao Tou have concocted a scheme: they'll pretend to be impoverished, moving back into their old, run-down house. Zhang Qiming even claims in the letter to have cancer, hoping to guilt Zhang Min into giving him a large sum of money in exchange for a quick divorce. The old house is filled with antique furniture and an old, small Meile brand TV, a stark contrast to their usual life.
Mao Tou is a bundle of nerves. He's longed to see his mother since she left when he was four, influenced by her study of Japanese, he also became interested in Japanese. But now, facing her return, he's torn between love and resentment. When Zhang Min finally arrives, Mao Tou is overwhelmed, retreating to his room, unable to fully express the years of longing and hurt.
Zhang Min returns to the house, and has a conversation with Zhang Qiming. She notices a Maotai liquor bottle next to the TV, and Zhang Qiming quickly tries to hide it, claiming they don't even have tea, only empty cans. When Zhang Min tells him to drink less, Zhang Qiming immediately says that the treatment is imported medicine and the price is expensive. He fakes the illness because he is worried that Zhang Min will come back to divide his property. Zhang Min offers him 100,000 yuan, asking if it's enough.
Mao Tou, listening at his door, desperately wants to see his mother but remains hesitant. Zhang Min shows off some clothes she brought from Japan, and Zhang Qiming pointedly asks if she forgot to buy shoes, implying she doesn't even know her son's shoe size after all these years.
Back in Jiangxi, Qian Jiayue visits her grandmother's house. Her cousin, Jiali, is constantly making snide remarks, highlighting the perceived advantages of Shanghai residents, like needing lower scores on the college entrance exam. Initially, Qian Jiayue is annoyed by Jiali's passive-aggressiveness. However, she learns that Jiali is about to drop out of school to work. Jiali's mother says that her younger brother needs to continue his education, and the family can only afford to have one child in school.
Qian Jiayue is deeply saddened by Jiali's predicament. Dropping out of high school so early will severely limit Jiali's future. Qian Jiayue hugs her mother, feeling incredibly grateful for her own opportunities and the support of her parents, unlike Jiali, who has to worry about whether she can continue her education.
