Episode Summary
Liu Xiaoling runs into debt and flees, inspiring He Jiaxi to consider going to the south. He Jiayi and Ouyang Bao open a bathhouse. He Jiahuan helps Fang Tao with his transportation company plan. Liu Xiaoling struggles in Guangzhou. Zhang Qiufang worries about her daughter's budding romance.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Lulu and Maozi facing a major financial crisis. After days of inaccurate accounting, they discover a whopping 30,000 yuan missing. They suspect Liu Xiaoling is behind it, and although she claims the money was her rightful share, she's already spent it all. Terrified of the consequences, Xiaoling flees back to her hometown, only to be confronted by the angry creditors and their entourage.
He Jiali and others help Xiaoling escape through a back door, giving her some cash and sending her off to the train station. In a heartbreaking scene, Tang Zhenmin arrives with their son, Yangyang, just as the train pulls away, leaving him with a mix of emotions. Maozi and his crew, unable to find Xiaoling and unwilling to disrespect the elders, leave in frustration.
Meanwhile, He Jiaxi, inspired by her fifth sister's move to the South to "strike gold," considers following suit. Yan Hongyu tries to convince Jiaxi to focus on a stable life. He Jiahuan worries her sister might get involved in shady business, but Fang Tao believes that going to the sea is the trend, mentioning that many of his buddies are making money by forming trucking teams.
Similarly, He Jiayi and her husband, Ouyang Bao, are working hard to get back on their feet. After numerous social engagements, they finally manage to lease an abandoned bathhouse. In July 1997, Jiayi and Ouyang Bao begin cleaning up the bathhouse, while Jiaxi opens a clothing store named "Sifenlai."
Jiayi, needing capital to get the bathhouse running, asks Liu Meixin for a loan. Meixin claims she's broke, but Jiayi knows Meixin lent money to Jiaxi. Feeling slighted, Jiayi returns home in a huff, only to have Meixin give Ouyang Bao a sum of money later that night.
Jiaxi thought moving out with her husband would end her mother-in-law Wang Huaimin's constant harassment. However, Huaimin shows up at their new place with a horde of relatives from the countryside, expecting to be entertained and taking full advantage of Jiaxi's hospitality. This drives Jiaxi to tears, and she runs back to her parents' home, vowing to stay there. Jiali tells Jiaxi to stand up for herself, or she'll always be controlled by Huaimin. When Hongyu comes to pick up his wife, Jiali warns him not to be a pushover and to be firm as a husband.
Xiaoling arrives in Guangzhou like a headless fly and quickly spends all her money. She calls Jiayi, begging for more. Jiayi complains about Xiaoling losing her job but still sends her money. After Xiaoling has had her fill, she goes to a high-end KTV for a job interview but is rejected because she can't sing Cantonese songs. She then diligently studies Cantonese in her rental room.
Fang Tao approaches Jiahuan with a business proposal. He and his colleagues from the grain bureau have decided to start their own transportation company, but they lack the funds. He asks Jiahuan to help them secure a loan. Jiahuan points out that Fang Tao doesn't meet the loan requirements and that his team is a ragtag bunch. Fang Tao, offended, argues that these men have participated in flood relief and blood donation drives, emphasizing their honorable service as the grain transportation team.
Fang Tao then discusses the matter with Hongyu, who supports the idea and advises him to create a business plan to attract sponsors. Fang Tao writes a proposal and submits it to Jiahuan, who immediately rejects it, leading Fang Tao to believe she looks down on him. However, after Fang Tao leaves, Jiahuan reconsiders. She contacts Bank Manager Zhang and sells all her treasury bonds, preparing to help Fang Tao.
On her way home, Zhang Qiufang sees her daughter chatting happily with He Xiangdong, and it appears that they are experiencing their first love. She worries they might be falling in love. Tang Weimin believes the children are grown up and should experience certain things. Qiufang thinks of Weimin and Jiali's past and feels a little jealous. Weimin reassures Qiufang, saying their love is a slow and steady stream, and they will be together for this life and the next. Soon after, Jiayi and Ouyang Bao's "Baoyi Bathhouse" opens with great fanfare. The He sisters all come to show their support. Jiaxi is temporarily unavailable, so Hongyu comes to send flowers on her behalf.
