Episode Summary
He Jiaxi learns she needs a bone marrow transplant, and her sister He Jiali is a match. After some initial hesitation due to past conflicts, He Jiaxi accepts the help. Yan Hongyu convinces He Jiali to donate, and the surgery is scheduled. The episode also features scenes of family reflection and preparation for the future, including He Jiali making arrangements in case of complications.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 38 of "Six Sisters" takes a dramatic turn as the family grapples with He Jiaxi's life-threatening illness. Because Liu Xiaoling is pregnant, she stays home with Liu Meixin while the other four sisters head to the hospital. They're all tested, hoping for a bone marrow match, but in a surprising twist, it's He Jiali who matches He Jiaxi.
He Jiaxi, overwhelmed by guilt for her past actions against her older sister, contemplates giving up on treatment. However, Yan Hongyu steps in, reminding He Jiaxi that her life is no longer just her own – she has responsibilities and people who love her. He urges her to fight, get better, and make amends.
In a desperate plea to save He Jiaxi, Yan Hongyu goes to the He Family home and, in front of everyone, kneels and begs He Jiali to donate her bone marrow. He Jiali agrees without hesitation. Despite the low risk of the procedure, He Jiali prepares for the worst, entrusting her savings passbook to Zhang Jianguo. She reflects on her life, feeling that she's always lived for others, but now sees it as a form of happiness and a way to fulfill her promise to her father. On the day of the surgery, He Jiaxi holds He Jiali's hand, expressing her gratitude.
Moving Forward: Reconciliation and New Beginnings
Six months later, He Jiawen and Lao Fan are sending Chen Guangming off at the train station, and they take a family photo together at Chen Guangming's suggestion. He Jiali and her husband are having lunch at home when they hear a knock, initially fearing it's a debt collector. To their relief, it's a package from their son in Shanghai – a pair of leather shoes – a heartwarming gesture.
After being discharged from the hospital, He Jiaxi visits He Jiali's home, kneeling in apology for her past misdeeds. He Jiali forgives her, and the two sisters embrace, crying. He Jiali acknowledges that forgiving others is easier than forgiving oneself, but she hopes He Jiaxi can find self-forgiveness and start anew.
Fast Forward to 2009: A Family Reunion
The scene shifts to the Spring Festival of 2009. All six daughters, along with their husbands (sons-in-law) and children, gather at the family home for a rare and joyous reunion. He Jiaxi expresses her gratitude for having them as sisters. The six sisters stand together for a toast. He Jiaxi also returns the property deed to Liu Meixin, proving her genuine remorse. The sons-in-law also share their heartfelt feelings, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
Post-Celebration: Visits and Reflections
Shortly after the New Year, He Jiali accompanies Liu Meixin to visit the Liu family. Aunt Liu's Alzheimer's disease hasn't improved, but she shows a natural closeness to Liu Meixin. He Jiali and Liu Xiaoling then travel to Shanghai to visit their sons. Liu Xiaoling is relieved to see that Yangyang (Tang Yangyang) is doing well in Shanghai, and they take a photo together with the city's nightscape as a backdrop. He Jiali, however, is saddened to see her son working hard as a delivery person and living in a cramped rental room. She urges him to return home, but he's determined to make something of himself in Shanghai first.
2012: Saying Goodbye to the Old House
In the autumn of 2012, the He family's old house is slated for demolition. The six daughters gather with Liu Meixin to reminisce over old photos. Liu Meixin expresses her sadness at losing the house, but she declines to live with her daughters, opting for government-provided housing after the demolition. During a power outage, the sisters light candles, and Liu Meixin reveals that she sold her secret pickle recipe and divided the money equally among them.
A Peaceful End
Liu Meixin, while she's still able, returns to her old hometown. Gazing at the familiar scenery, she reminisces about her life and love with He Changsheng, eventually falling asleep. The six sisters find her, initially frightened, but it's a false alarm. They join their mother in watching the sunrise, creating a beautiful and heartwarming scene.
Ending Explained:
The ending of the TV series "Six Sisters" generally presents a "Chinese-style happy ending" atmosphere, but it also contains many complex character relationships and emotional entanglements.
Main Character Endings
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He Jiaxi: As the villain in the play, He Jiaxi suffered retribution for her leukemia due to her greedy and selfish behavior. In the end, her sister He Jiali chose to donate bone marrow to her, showing the tolerance and greatness of human nature. He Jiaxi apologized to her sister after recovering from her illness and was forgiven, but this ending still aroused controversy among the audience. Many people thought her punishment was too light.
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Liu Meixin: Liu Meixin played an important family role in the play, but her partiality and selfish behavior also caused many conflicts. In the end, Liu Meixin was set to pass away in the plot, and the reunion scene of the six sisters was actually their imagination, symbolizing Liu Meixin's "awakening" in spirit.
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He Jiali: As the eldest sister, He Jiali contributed a lot to the family, but her own life was full of hardships. She chose to donate bone marrow to her sister He Jiaxi, showing great sacrifice. Despite this, her ending is still considered regrettable because of her lack of concern for her son.
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He Jiawen: He Jiawen experienced many difficulties in the play, and finally found her place in the embrace of her family. Her fate reflects the struggles and helplessness of contemporary young people in family and society.
Plot Direction and Audience Reaction
Although the ending of "Six Sisters" is a happy one, many viewers expressed dissatisfaction with He Jiaxi's ending, believing that her punishment was too light. At the same time, although He Jiali's sacrifice was great, it also made people feel sad and helpless. In addition, the fates of other characters in the play are also different, such as Tang Xiaofang's divorce and Aunt Liu's dementia, making the whole plot more complicated and diverse.
