Episode Summary
Zhao Chuxi accepts a New Year's Eve gatekeeper job, then celebrates with Er Pang and his grandmother. He lands a security captain position at a bathhouse after easily defeating the previous captain. He befriends a hardworking colleague, Qin Ran, and helps her pay her father's medical bills. Chuxi continues to send money to Qingyi. He spends his days working, helping others, and spending time with friends, but suspects something is amiss when a local friend stays at the construction site instead of going home for the New Year.
Spoiler Alert
As the New Year festivities kick off, Zhao Chuxi is thrilled to hear about a gatekeeper job – it's a welcome opportunity since he has nowhere else to go during the holiday. His buddy, Er Pang, heads home to spend time with his grandmother, and Chuxi can't help but feel a pang of sadness as he watches Lu Yao leave.
But the night takes a heartwarming turn when Er Pang invites Chuxi to meet his grandmother. Fireworks light up the sky as Chuxi readily accepts, only to discover he's already met her before! The three of them – Chuxi, Er Pang, and Grandma – share a wonderful time together. Chuxi gets a chance to look through the books at Grandma's house, learning the true meaning behind Sanwu's name. Grandma takes a liking to Chuxi, asking him to look after Sanwu. Chuxi assures her that with him around, nobody will mess with Er Pang.
Back to business, Chuxi and Er Pang are practicing their boxing when Qiang arrives with exciting news: a part-time security gig at the Langtaosha Bathhouse. It comes with meals and a monthly salary of 3,000 yuan – a fantastic offer for Chuxi. Qiang takes him for an interview, where a guy with yellow hair leads Chuxi to the manager. The manager, unimpressed with Chuxi's physique, wants to see his skills. He promises Chuxi a 5,000 yuan salary if he can hold his own against the current team captain, Qiao Kang. Chuxi wastes no time, taking Qiao Kang down swiftly and securing the security captain position. Qiao Kang is demoted to vice-captain, much to his dismay, while Chuxi, Qiang, and Yellow Hair celebrate.
Meanwhile, far away in Sanjiang, Su Xiluo isn't feeling the festive spirit. Xu Shaoqing easily wins over her father and hints at wanting to marry her, but Xiluo avoids the topic.
Chuxi jumps right into his new role at the bathhouse. He encounters Qin Ran, a hardworking girl he'd met before. Remembering his own early struggles, Chuxi instinctively wants to help her. He learns that Qin Ran is being gossiped about by her colleagues because she has many customers. Chuxi defends her, and finds out that Qin Ran is working to pay her father's medical bills and support her younger brother's education. When Qin Ran needs to take a large sum of money to the hospital for her father, but is afraid to go alone, Chuxi immediately understands and offers to be her bodyguard. He witnesses firsthand her dedication to her family, immediately using her earnings to pay for her father's medical expenses.
As the New Year approaches, Chuxi sends money to Qingyi as usual. Qingyi urges him to take care of himself, and Chuxi responds with his own endless stream of concern. Qingyi asks about his plans for the holiday, and Chuxi says he'll spend it with his coworkers. In the following days, Chuxi is busy and fulfilled, helping Qin Ran, spending time with Qiang and Er Pang, and even sharing stories of his life in the mountains with Qin Ran. She's fascinated, but Chuxi tells her she wouldn't like it there.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Chuxi is at the construction site making steamed buns. Han Sanqiang, who should be at home, unexpectedly shows up. Qiang claims he's there to keep Chuxi company, but Chuxi senses something is off – Qiang is a local, so why wouldn't he be home for the New Year?
