Episode Summary
Ka Men and her mother intensely prepare for their respective competitions, inspiring Qian Jiayue. Chen Xiu'e faces criticism from her mother, causing self-doubt, while Ai Ping subtly encourages her mother-in-law's support. Ka Men's mother struggles with a new qipao, leading to a tense moment with her husband. Ka Men achieves her goal of becoming a host with Lu Yao, and a shared bike ride creates a special moment. Xiao Han's selfless act of lending Chen Mo his umbrella leads to him catching a cold, and Chen Mo struggles to express her concern.
Spoiler Alert
This episode dives into the aspirations and anxieties of several characters, all striving for personal goals. Ka Men is pulling out all the stops to win the host selection. She's not just dieting; she's even joined her mother in intense aerobics sessions. Ka Men's mom, meanwhile, is equally determined to land a flight attendant position, showing the whole family's dedication to achieving their dreams. Qian Jiayue is inspired by their collective ambition, seeing them as role models.
Chen Mo and Qian Jiayue privately speculate that Ka Men might have a crush on Lu Yao, which could explain her sudden aversion to her beloved snacks. Meanwhile, Chen Xiu'e is hitting the English books hard. Her husband even copied a video of her, filmed by Zhang Qiming, to show the family. However, Chen's mother is less than supportive, finding it amusing that her 40-year-old daughter is suddenly focused on fitness and English. She bluntly criticizes Chen Xiu'e's posture and compares her unfavorably to their neighbor, Ai Ping, a former factory "model worker" known for her poise. Although Chen Xiu'e brushes it off, her mother's harsh words clearly shake her confidence.
Ai Ping, overhearing the mother-daughter argument, suspects that her mother-in-law is opposing their participation in the competition. She subtly approaches her mother-in-law, explaining that their initial motivation wasn't about winning, but about recapturing the energy and spirit of their youth. The preparation process itself, she emphasizes, has been joyful and fulfilling. The mother-in-law, touched by their sincerity, even enlists some old friends to provide feedback and simulate the competition environment.
Ka Men's mother, usually busy running the family shop, hasn't had time for meticulous self-care. She struggles to find a suitable outfit for the interview. Fangfang, coming from a more well-off family, generously provides her three friends with exquisite fabric to have custom-made qipaos. Ka Men's mother is deeply moved, especially by the intricate embroidery on the dress – it's her first time wearing a qipao.
Back home, Ka Men's mother tries on the qipao, but she can't quite zip it up the last few inches. As she struggles, her husband returns, commenting that while a good figure can be enhanced by a qipao, her fuller physique doesn't create the desired silhouette. He instantly realizes his mistake as his wife expresses her frustration, pointing out that he spends more time at the dance studio with young women than helping at the shop.
Through sheer determination, Ka Men succeeds in joining the host selection competition alongside Lu Yao. She defeats many strong competitors and is ultimately chosen as the school's official event host. Lu Yao congratulates her. After school, Ka Men, hoping for a ride home, pretends her bike is broken. Lu Yao readily offers to take her, but due to Ka Men's weight, they end up with Ka Men pedaling and Lu Yao on the back. Despite the awkwardness, Ka Men is thrilled to share this moment with him.
In a separate storyline, it starts raining after school. Xiao Han notices Chen Mo doesn't have an umbrella and immediately lends her his, running off without a word. He later catches a cold from the rain. Chen Mo hesitates to call him, trying multiple times before finally connecting. However, she stumbles over her words, unable to express her concern clearly.
