Episode Summary
Dong Erlin's marriage is on the brink, and Chen Ling demands one million yuan for forgiveness. The Dong parents are torn between supporting him or elder son Dong Dalin's business. Dalin sacrifices his funding to help his brother, while Chen Ling continues chasing financial independence. Tensions rise as family members clash over money, trust, and control. Meanwhile, Chen Ling faces unwanted advances from Boss Lin, but Ma San steps in to help. The episode ends with Chen Ling returning home and Grandma Dong making new arrangements for the family's finances.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 17 of Green Hills Are Home is a full-on emotional rollercoaster, and the Dong family is right at the heart of it—torn between loyalty, pride, and the ever-looming shadow of money.
The Price of Forgiveness
Things kick off with Chen Ling laying down her terms: she’ll only forgive Dong Erlin—her husband—if his father, Grandpa Dong, coughs up one million yuan. With his marriage hanging by a thread, Dong Erlin drops to his knees, begging his parents for help. But the elder Dongs face a brutal dilemma: their younger son’s crumbling marriage or their older son’s crucial business venture. Either way, someone’s getting hurt.
Sacrifices and Siblings
Dong Dalin, the older brother, steps up once again. Even though his startup desperately needs the money, he and his wife Feng Qiulan choose to take a step back—for the sake of family. In front of everyone, Dalin has a heart-to-heart with Chen Ling. She doesn’t hold back: she grew up poor and is determined to build a better life, even if her husband can’t provide it.
But Dalin misses the point. Instead of acknowledging Chen Ling's drive, he lectures her about moral boundaries—warning that chasing money without integrity will only lead to consequences. Chen Ling, clearly exhausted, doesn’t argue. She simply states that she's a traditional woman: “marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog.” She’ll stay with Dong Erlin—as long as he doesn’t walk away. Before leaving, Dong Erlin bows deeply to his brother, consumed with guilt.
The One Million Deal
The next morning, Grandpa Dong gives Chen Ling the money—with a contract that she must repay it in three months. Enter Dong Yan, their daughter, who already took 200K from the parents but throws a tantrum when she hears Chen Ling got the full million. She angrily phones her parents, playing the unfairness card. Meanwhile, Dong Dalin—who received nothing—remains calm and supportive. The contrast stings.
Later, Sis-in-law Feng (Feng Qiulan) sees Chen Ling is overwhelmed and offers to help manage the land dealings. But Chen Ling knows Feng has her eye on her resources. So she flips the script: get me financing instead. Feng agrees—and fast.
Deals, Loans & Tensions
Since Dong Xin was expelled from school, Sis-in-law Feng hesitates about involving her network. Chen Ling, ever pragmatic, hands her ¥10,000 on the spot. That does the trick—Feng starts calling around, and thanks to past interest payments, people are happy to invest.
Dong Erlin, trying to help, goes behind Chen Ling's back to negotiate a 300-mu land transfer—only to get chewed out by her. Not his finest moment.
Dreams on Hold
Meanwhile, Wang Zhiyuan finalizes a loan for Dong Dalin’s project, urging him to prep for an autumn launch. But Dalin has to break the bad news: the million he needed is gone. Wang is frustrated, but Dalin promises to find a way—as long as the head office still backs them, he won’t quit halfway.
While walking the cornfields with Gao Guangzhu, Dalin gets a call from Jiang Menglian, offering to lend him her own money. Dalin declines—he’s a man, he says, and won’t take a woman’s cash. Jiang respects his pride and lets it go.
Boundaries Crossed
Chen Ling finally secures the money she needs and hands it off to Boss Lin, who’s so pleased he can’t keep his hands to himself. He gets handsy again—right in front of Dong Erlin, who’s had it. He warns Chen Ling and tries to stop her from heading into the city for business.
Sis-in-law Feng jumps in and calls Grandpa Dong to de-escalate. Grandpa, desperate to protect the million-yuan loan, physically restrains Dong Erlin from interfering further.
Power Struggles & Shifting Loyalties
Feng Qiulan prepares to take her son to the city, and Dong Peng teaches Dalin how to use QQ (yes, really). Grandma Dong then shows up with a "brilliant" idea: let Dong Erlin manage the construction site accounts. According to her logic, even if Erlin cheated, Chen Ling is partly to blame—classic victim-blaming. She wants to take control away from Chen Ling, painting it as restoring balance.
The Final Straw?
Chen Ling helps Boss Lin find an engineering team. Over drinks, everyone’s all smiles. But when the dinner ends, Boss Lin makes a move—again—this time booking a hotel room upstairs. Chen Ling, alone and cornered, downs her drink in silence. She’s clearly torn. In the end, she sends Ma San to deal with Lin instead.
Coming Home
Dong Erlin, unable to reach Chen Ling, is furious and vents to his parents again. Thankfully, Ma San handles Boss Lin swiftly and assures Chen Ling it's all taken care of. She finally breathes easy and heads home.
The next morning, Feng Qiulan and Dong Peng are packed and ready for the city. Grandma Dong visits again—this time with an update: Chen Ling will now be paying Feng Qiulan ¥3,000 a month.
Final Thoughts
Episode 17 is all about hard choices. Everyone’s trying to protect something—marriage, pride, business, or reputation. But in the Dong family, every decision has a price. And sometimes, even when you win, it doesn’t feel like a victory.
