Episode Summary
Fang Tao is attacked and hospitalized, leading to confrontations and reconciliations with He Jiahuan and his ex, Lina. Family pressures mount as He Wen falls ill, and He Jiaxi plans to move her child's school registration.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with He Jiali expressing her disapproval of Zhang Qiulin. She believes her sister, He Jiahuan, is thriving in her career and shouldn't be pining over a divorced man. Zhang Qiufang, overhearing this, reassures Jiali that the Zhang family doesn't look down on He Jiahuan; they simply believe the two are incompatible. Jiali later confronts Jiahuan, questioning if her divorce was motivated by feelings for Qiulin. Jiahuan vehemently denies this, asserting that the divorce would have happened regardless of Qiulin's return. Jiali warns Jiahuan not to let her newfound leadership position make her think she's above Fang Tao, and to avoid any further entanglement with Qiulin.
Meanwhile, Fang Tao, while working a delivery job, encounters a seemingly distressed woman who asks for his help. Initially hesitant, Fang Tao relents when he learns that his friend Lao Lin needs money for a family medical emergency. However, the woman leads Fang Tao to a deserted area where he's ambushed by several men demanding money. Despite holding his own in the fight, Fang Tao is stabbed by the woman.
Jiahuan rushes to the hospital in Xi'an upon hearing the news, finding Fang Tao unconscious. When he awakens, he grasps Jiahuan's hand, begging her not to leave him and expressing his desire to reconcile.
Meng Lisha returns to the country because of Qiulin, and Aunt Liu encourages them to remarry, even having them sleep in the same bed. Qiulin is initially resistant, but Lisha's tearful embrace softens him. Jiahuan's sisters visit the hospital, pressing her about her true feelings. Jiali believes only Fang Tao can tolerate Jiahuan's temperament, while He Jiawen suggests taking things slow and making a decision after Fang Tao recovers.
Lina, Fang Tao's ex, also arrives at the hospital, ostensibly about a property matter, but clearly hoping for reconciliation. Fang Tao, however, has no interest. When Jiahuan arrives with food and sees Lina feeding Fang Tao, she becomes jealous. Lina, emboldened, openly provokes Jiahuan, leading to an argument between Jiahuan and Fang Tao.
The family wants He Jiawen to get married, so Jiahuan takes her to meet a blind date. Jiawen has no intention of remarrying, but the other party is very sincere.
On the day of Fang Tao's discharge, Jiahuan is nowhere to be seen. Yan Hongyu, representing the He family, picks him up instead.
The story jumps to late 1998. Liu Meixin discovers her mother-in-law, He Wen, lying weakly in bed. She calls her daughters, and a hospital examination reveals that He Wen has viral myocarditis, thankfully caught in time to save her life. He Jiali is upset, blaming Meixin for not taking better care of their grandmother. Yan Hongyu, to prevent an argument, takes Meixin away. The burden of the family falls heavily on Jiali, who is exhausted but supported by Zhang Jianguo. She finds herself missing her father.
Due to He Wen's advanced age, Jiali calls a meeting with her sisters. Everyone has their own difficulties, and He Jiayi suggests that Jiali take care of Wenshi while the others contribute financially. Meixin, still harboring resentment, suspects Jiali of wanting her house and complains to He Jiaxi. Jiali moves back home to care for Wenshi but faces constant nitpicking from Meixin, forcing her to tolerate her mother-in-law's demands.
Yan Hongyu wants to take He Jiaxi to visit his mother. Jiaxi brings new clothes for Wang Huaimin. With their child, Yan Xiaoman, approaching school age, Wang Huaimin subtly mentions that school enrollment follows the household registration. Jiaxi plans to transfer Xiaoman's registration to her mother's household, enabling her to attend the prestigious Huai Shi Affiliated Elementary School.
The next morning, Jiaxi discusses this with Meixin and Jiali. They don't object but sense that the Yan family is being calculating and plan to have a serious conversation with them. He Xiangdong is also preparing to marry Li Wen and shares the good news with Meixin, promising to take care of her in her old age, which greatly pleases her.
