Episode Summary
Zhao Chuxi gets a taste of construction site life, facing exploitation and forming an unlikely friendship with the surprisingly strong Er Pang. After a payday dispute and a brawl, Zhao Chuxi, Er Pang, and even their boss, Qiang, bond over shared hardships. Mr. Su takes a particular interest in Zhao Chuxi.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Zhao Chuxi, a strong and somewhat naive young man, being sweet-talked by a guy named Qiang. Qiang promises him that he can buy a house within three years. Zhao Chuxi, ever direct, asks if Qiang himself owns a house, a question Qiang quickly dodges. He's more interested in Zhao Chuxi's "special skills," to which Zhao Chuxi repeatedly replies that he's just "strong." Qiang, clearly unimpressed, ushers him onto a bus.
They arrive at the work site, and Qiang gives Zhao Chuxi a quick tour. Suddenly, Qiang spots Mr. Su, who seems to be a VIP, and rushes over. Zhao Chuxi, noticing Mr. Su's attractiveness, starts fixing his hair using a car window as a mirror. It turns out that the car belongs to Mr. Su's secretary, Lu Yao. Mr. Su arrives, and Qiang immediately pulls Zhao Chuxi away, scolding him for staring and telling him to show more respect.
Qiang and another worker, Kai Shan, lecture Zhao Chuxi. He learns that the woman he was admiring is Lu Yao, Mr. Su's secretary. That night, Zhao Chuxi is taken to the "model worker" dorm, which is anything but – he can't sleep because of the noise.
Venturing outside, Zhao Chuxi encounters Lin Sanwu, who's looking for a late-night snack. They start talking, and Zhao Chuxi, finding Lin Sanwu's name inauspicious, renames him Er Pang (meaning "Second Fatty"). Er Pang shares his steamed buns with Zhao Chuxi, who's impressed when Er Pang, despite claiming to be unskilled, effortlessly punches a sandbag across the room.
A month later, it's payday. Everyone lines up, and Zhao Chuxi notices that they all leave a portion of their wages for Qiang. He's told it's the rules. Er Pang, who works the hardest, receives only 900 yuan, less than Zhao Chuxi. Zhao Chuxi tries to speak up for him, but the other workers hold him back. Qiang justifies the low pay by saying Er Pang eats too much and would be robbed if he had more money. Er Pang accepts this quietly, but Zhao Chuxi is bothered.
That evening, Zhao Chuxi talks to Er Pang about the unfairness. Er Pang reveals he knows the situation is unjust but can't find work elsewhere. Zhao Chuxi vows to help. They share a meal, with Zhao Chuxi giving Er Pang some of his food. Mr. Su and Lu Yao show up again, and Zhao Chuxi can't take his eyes off them. They quickly leave, clearly finding Zhao Chuxi's staring rude.
Zhao Chuxi tries to talk to Qiang about Er Pang's wages, practicing his speech beforehand. Unfortunately, Qiang throws him out. Returning to the dorms, Zhao Chuxi finds the other workers bullying Er Pang. He steps in, and a fight breaks out. Qiang arrives with reinforcements, and while Zhao Chuxi is tough, he's outnumbered. Er Pang, unable to watch his friend get beaten, joins the fight, revealing his impressive strength. Mr. Su and Lu Yao witness the whole scene. Qiang, now on the ground, claims he's also Er Pang's "brother" and promises a raise.
The fight ends in a truce, and Qiang invites Zhao Chuxi and Er Pang for barbecue. Mr. Su, having observed everything, finds Zhao Chuxi "interesting" and asks Lu Yao to gather information on him.
At the barbecue, they all open up. Qiang reveals he's in debt due to family issues, and his actions at the construction site are a way to make ends meet. Zhao Chuxi declares them brothers. They talk about their reasons for coming to the city, bonding over their shared struggles. The next day, Mr. Su, accompanied by Lu Yao, eats at the construction site cafeteria and receives Zhao Chuxi's file.
