Episode Summary
Family tensions and financial struggles continue. He Jiaxi moves back home, Lao Fan and He Jiawen have a misunderstanding, and Liu Meixin suffers an injury. Zhang Jianguo takes early retirement, and a death in the family occurs. He Jiayi considers a new business venture.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with a joyous occasion: He Jiawen and Lao Fan's wedding! The whole family gathers for a lively banquet, except for Chen Guangming, who remains sullen throughout the celebration. Meanwhile, He Jiaxi's clothing store is struggling, forcing her and Yan Hongyu to move back in with Wang Huaimin to save on rent. They also, with the family support, officially register their daughter, Yan Xiaoman, on the household register.
Liu Meixin and He Jiaxi help He Jiali check on Liu Xiaoling’s new, luxuriously decorated house. He Jiaxi is visibly envious, leading Liu Meixin to remind her to appreciate Yan Hongyu. However, He Jiaxi turns the tables, encouraging Liu Meixin to indulge herself more.
Taking He Jiaxi's "advice" to heart, Liu Meixin starts eating out alone, returning home uninterested in He Jiali's simple cooking. He Jiali and Zhang Jianguo suspect Liu Meixin is sneaking food, but she deflects their suspicions.
Back at Wang Huaimin's, He Jiaxi quickly clashes with her mother-in-law again, this time over water usage. He Jiaxi warns Yan Hongyu that if they start paying for water, it will become a never-ending obligation. Ouyang Bao calculates that the Baoyi Bathhouse is operating at a 50% loss, but he reassures He Jiayi, saying that business naturally has its ups and downs.
The next morning, He Jiayi invites her grandmother, mother, and some elderly neighbors to the bathhouse. Unfortunately, Liu Meixin slips and suffers a pelvic fracture, requiring bed rest. He Jiaxi seizes this opportunity to move back into the He family home, ostensibly to care for Liu Meixin.
He Jiali sees through He Jiaxi's scheme but can't object because of Liu Meixin's approval. Zhang Jianguo informs He Jiali that he'll be taking early retirement next month, moving to a second-tier position at the veteran's bureau. They've also secured a three-bedroom apartment to ensure their son, He Xiangdong, can marry smoothly.
The next day, He Jiaxi returns home with her luggage and asks He Jiali to prepare special meals for Liu Meixin, which He Jiali agrees to. He Xiangdong feels guilty that his father couldn't retire at a higher rank. He Jiaxi overhears He Jiali and her son’s conversation, commenting that she worries too much and that children have their own paths, including finding their own housing when they marry.
He Jiawen and Lao Fan, being a remarried couple without a strong foundation, experience some friction. Lao Fan notices 50 yuan missing from his pocket and immediately suspects Chen Guangming of stealing. He Jiawen, knowing her son's character, replaces the money, pretending it was Lao Fan's lost cash. Lao Fan later finds the money in his pocket and realizes his mistake.
He Jiawen confides in her older sister, He Jiali, about the incident. He Jiali comforts her, saying that remarried couples need time to adjust and that conflicts are normal, solvable with mutual understanding. At dinner, Lao Fan apologizes to Chen Guangming, who accepts the apology, and the family shares a warm moment.
Zhang Jianguo and He Jiali are preparing their son's new apartment, and Fang Tao helps deliver some items. He Jiali asks Fang Tao if he's still in contact with He Jiahuan, hoping they can reconcile. At work, He Jiahuan witnesses a colleague being arrested for corruption, sparking gossip among the staff.
Liu Meixin recovers under He Jiaxi's care, and He Jiali urges her to return home to avoid further issues with Wang Huaimin. Soon after, Liu Xiaoling gives birth to a daughter, but tragically, Tang Zhenmin suddenly passes away from a heart attack. Liu Xiaoling is devastated by the news.
Tang Weimin, aware that Liu Xiaoling has her own life and likely can't take in Yangyang, plans to have the child adopted by Tang Youmin and his wife. Zhang Fanglin, worried about potential problems, takes the child into her own home first. The story jumps to early 2000, with He Jiaxi reluctantly packing to return to her in-laws. He Jiayi encounters some out-of-town travelers and is inspired to open a budget-friendly hotel, discussing the idea with Ouyang Bao.
