Episode Summary
Family tensions and custody battles dominate the episode. Chen Xiu'e grapples with outdated traditions, while Zhang Qiming and Zhang Min's divorce takes a bitter turn as they fight for custody of their son, Mao Tou. Mao Tou, caught in the middle, seeks solace in a phone call to Qian Jiayue. The episode ends with family conflict during New Year's Eve dinner, highlighting generational differences and societal expectations.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Chen Xiu'e still reeling from a conversation with her daughter, Qian Jiayue. She's shocked to learn that even in the 21st century, some places still cling to outdated, superstitious beliefs, particularly the idea that only boys should receive an education. This hits close to home for Xiu'e, who remembers the pain of her own mother giving a coveted work opportunity to her brother instead of her. She now understands Jiayue's feelings of frustration and injustice.
Qian Kang, Jiayue's father, grew up in this kind of environment. He tries to explain it away as "fate," pointing out that if Xiu'e had received that work opportunity, they might never have met or had their daughter. While Xiu'e acknowledges the role of fate, she's fed up with the backward thinking and wants to leave the area as soon as possible. She talks to her husband about returning home early.
Meanwhile, drama unfolds with Zhang Qiming. He's in a rush, having overslept on the day he's supposed to finalize his divorce at the Civil Affairs Bureau. He jumps into a taxi called by his ex-wife, Zhang Min, excitedly thinking he'll soon be free to marry his girlfriend, Ai Ping. However, Zhang Min has other plans. She takes him to the hospital for a check-up, intending to expose his feigned illness. Qiming is resistant, knowing his "illness" was a lie. Zhang Min then lays down the law: she'll grant the divorce and even give him 100,000 yuan, but she wants full custody of their son, Mao Tou.
Mao Tou is Qiming's everything. The thought of losing his son for money infuriates him. Zhang Min argues that she can provide Mao Tou with a better education in Japan, implying he'd have a brighter future with her. Qiming, now furious, drops the act and boasts about his successful company, telling Zhang Min not to look down on him.
The previous attempt at divorce ended badly, and Qiming is determined to show Zhang Min that he and Mao Tou are doing well. He dresses Mao Tou in a suit and instructs him to tell his mother how great things are in Shanghai, making it clear they don't need to go to Japan. Qiming's anger flares up again, and he declares he'll bring Ai Ping and her child, Xiao Han, to meet Zhang Min as a family of four. Ai Ping, however, urges him to calm down and refuses to be part of this confrontation.
Later, Zhang Min arrives, and another argument erupts, all centered around Mao Tou. The boy, heartbroken and feeling like a pawn in their fight, runs away. He's deeply hurt that his parents are battling over custody without considering his feelings. He calls Jiayue from a public phone booth, and their conversation gives him some comfort and courage. Ai Ping eventually finds Mao Tou and brings him back.
The next day, Qiming and Zhang Min finally get their divorce. Despite everything, Qiming invites her to a farewell meal. Zhang Min shares her struggles during her early days in Japan and reveals that if Qiming had asked her to stay in China, she might have considered it. Qiming immediately asks when she's returning to Japan, highlighting the vast distance – both emotional and physical – that has grown between them over the past decade.
Back at Jiayue's home, Chang Wuji wins an intelligence competition again. Jiayue is disappointed that she couldn't watch it, as her cousin monopolized the television, believing it was his right. During New Year's Eve dinner, the family gathers, but tensions rise when Jiali, Jiayue's cousin, is scolded by her mother for reading, deemed a useless pursuit. Jiayue defends Jiali, leading to her grandmother and aunt accusing her of being ill-mannered.
