Episode Summary
Liu Meixin continues to work hard selling pickles, worrying her daughters. Romantic relationships blossom for He Jiaxi and He Jiahuan, but both face family opposition. Misunderstandings and past relationships complicate matters, especially for Jiahuan and Fang Tao.
Spoiler Alert
In Episode 17, family matters and romantic relationships take center stage. Back at home, He Jiali confides in He Wen about Zhang Jie's matchmaking attempt for their mother, Liu Meixin. However, Jiali worries about Meixin being left alone if she remarries. He Wen is supportive of the idea, believing that finding a partner is a good thing. Their conversation is interrupted when Liu Meixin returns, pushing her three-wheeled cart. She firmly states she has no intention of remarrying, especially with her children's futures still uncertain, feeling like they are trying to get rid of her. Jiali quickly reassures her mother, promising to drop the subject.
In the following days, Liu Meixin is seen working tirelessly, selling her special "eight-treasure" pickles at the market, rain or shine, even on weekends. Her daughters are concerned about her well-being, with the fifth daughter, Liu Xiaoling, suggesting that their mother would be better off helping her with childcare. Liu Xiaoling, who is pregnant, is struggling to manage the household chores alone, as her in-laws have passed away. She and her husband, Tang Zhenmin, had agreed to take turns cooking.
However, as Xiaoling's pregnancy progresses, she becomes less inclined to cook, opting to eat out with Zhenmin at a beef noodle stall. There, they are surprised to spot He Jiaxi with Yan Hongyu. Xiaoling is astonished that her younger sister is dating, especially before the fourth sister, He Jiahuan, which she predicts will cause drama. Xiaoling is very impressed with Hongyu, noting that he is as handsome as a movie star. But the surprises don't end there. Soon after, they see He Jiahuan arrive with Fang Tao. To add to the drama, Fang Tao's ex-wife, Lina, shows up and acts rudely towards Jiahuan. Fang Tao is forced to admit to Jiahuan that Lina is his ex-wife.
Jiahuan tells Fang Tao that she already knew about his divorce and doesn't mind. Fang Tao explains he kept it a secret to avoid pity from the neighbors. Jiahuan comforts him by relating it to her own facial scar, and the two are teased by neighbors eager for wedding sweets. Fang Tao, worried about gossip, suggests they eat separately, but Jiahuan insists on continuing their "meal buddy" arrangement and asks if he still loves his ex-wife. Fang Tao is caught off guard, angering Jiahuan.
Later, Fang Tao seeks out Jiahuan to explain. He confesses that he no longer loves Lina, as she never loved him. He declares that Jiahuan is his lifeline. Moved by his declaration, Jiahuan kisses his cheek, and they both express their newfound happiness.
Xiaoling returns home and tells Liu Meixin about her two sisters' relationships. Liu Meixin is intrigued that both boyfriends are considered as handsome as movie stars. When Jiaxi admits to dating Hongyu, Meixin immediately objects, learning that Hongyu is the son of Wang Huaimin. She describes Huaimin as cunning and fierce, fearing her daughter will be taken advantage of.
Zhang Qiulin is preparing to go abroad with his wife and has a heart-to-heart with Jiahuan before leaving. Back at the dormitory, Jiahuan finds that Fang Tao has made her a soothing pear soup, warming her heart. The next morning, Jiahuan asks her family for the household registration booklet, but Liu Meixin and He Wen refuse. He Jiali, having learned about Fang Tao from her second sister, believes he is not good enough for Jiahuan and that they are incompatible.
Jiali and He Jiawen advise their mother to reason with Jiahuan, warning against a direct confrontation, fearing she might follow the third sister's path and rush into marriage. He Jiawen admits she likes Fang Tao and wants to get married, prompting Jiali to demand that she bring Fang Tao home to meet the family.
Soon after, Fang Tao accompanies Jiahuan home, where the family scrutinizes him. Their initial strong opposition softens slightly, finding him reasonably good-looking. However, the situation takes a turn when Ouyang Bao arrives. Ouyang, who knows Fang Tao from playing basketball, mistakenly mentions that Lina wants to get back together with Fang Tao, causing a major misunderstanding.
The family instantly deems Fang Tao unreliable, urging Jiahuan to end the relationship. Jiahuan, still holding onto hope, feels that even someone sentenced to death deserves a chance to defend themselves. He Jiawen, seeing her sister's determination, remains silent.
