Episode Summary
Wang Zhiyuan successfully handles protesting farmers during Mayor Zhang's visit. Dong Dalin faces a fine for illegal soil extraction due to Sis-in-law Feng's report. Chen Ling schemes to increase her project stake by intimidating Boss Lin. Dong Dalin's attempt to appeal to Fu Lijun fails, and Feng Qiulan learns her sister-in-law was the snitch.
Spoiler Alert
Alright, buckle up for the latest drama unfolding in "Green Hills Are Home"! Here's the lowdown on Episode 21:
So, Mayor Zhang rolls into Yagou Village for a visit, and Old Jiang, following Chen Ling's master plan, rounds up a bunch of disgruntled farmers to protest Wang Zhiyuan's fines. But guess what? Wang Zhiyuan, cool as a cucumber, delivers a speech so logical and law-abiding that he manages to diffuse the situation and impress the heck out of Mayor Zhang. Talk about a plot twist!
Dong Dalin, feeling bad about the trouble, calls Wang Zhiyuan to thank him. Wang Zhiyuan, ever the supportive guy, promises to keep backing his green farming initiative. But hold on, because trouble never travels alone! Someone snitches on Dong Dalin for digging soil without permission, and guess who gets assigned to the case? Fu Liping, now the deputy head of the County Land and Resources Bureau's enforcement team, shows up at Dong Dalin's doorstep ready to drop the hammer.
The enforcement team slaps Dong Dalin with a hefty 130,000 yuan fine for illegal soil extraction. Wang Zhiyuan rushes to the rescue and manages to get them to extend the payment deadline. Meanwhile, Sis-in-law Feng is gloating to Chen Ling about being the snitch. But surprise! Chen Ling actually defends Dalin, furious that Feng's actions will make her look like the villain.
The Dong parents are freaking out, worried about their son's bad luck. Grandpa Dong even tries to get Chen Ling to revise their agreement so he can get some cash to help Dalin. Chen Ling reluctantly agrees. On the other side of town, Dong Dalin seeks advice from Wang Zhiyuan, who reveals that the city is really pushing for green farming. He also mentions that Fu Liping's older brother, Fu Lijun, is the head of the Land Bureau and a stand-up guy. Wang Zhiyuan promises to talk to his old classmate from party school and explain the situation.
Feng Qiulan lands a job at Sister Yun's BBQ joint, impressing Yun with her willingness to work without demanding high pay (remember she was a nanny without pay). Grandma Dong tells Dong Dalin that Sis-in-law Feng was the snitch, and that Chen Ling actually gave her a piece of her mind.
Chen Ling, always scheming, decides to increase her stake in the project with Ma San's encouragement. They pull a fast one on Boss Lin, first by getting Dong Erlin out of the way, then by hiring some local toughs to intimidate him. Chen Ling steps in at the last minute, pretending to be in charge of the thugs. Boss Lin, an outsider, is impressed and lets Chen Ling do whatever she wants.
Dong Dalin, desperate, travels to the county with two bags of corn stalks and a basket of eggs to plead his case to Fu Lijun. The security guard turns him away, telling him to talk to Fu Lijun's family. Fu Lijun's wife calls him, and Fu Lijun, after listening to Fu Liping's lies about Dong Dalin being a land-grabbing bully, tells his wife to slam the door in Dong Dalin's face.
Rejected and dejected, Dong Dalin ends up visiting Feng Qiulan. He downplays the fine, not wanting to worry her. Feng Qiulan is shocked to learn that her own sister-in-law, not Chen Ling, was the snitch. Meanwhile, Chen Ling runs into Wang Binzi and reminds him that she's always open to discussing land transfers.
Phew! What a rollercoaster. Will Wang Zhiyuan be able to help Dong Dalin? Will Chen Ling's schemes pay off, or will they backfire? And what's going to happen with that land? Stay tuned for the next episode of "Green Hills Are Home"!
