Episode Summary
Dong Dalin faces mounting pressure from multiple sides regarding the illegal soil excavation. Chen Ling offers to pay the fine, but Dong Dalin refuses. Villagers panic and withdraw from the cooperative. Dong Xin supports her father, even staging a fake suicide attempt to prevent his arrest. Mayor Zhang intervenes. Meanwhile, family drama unfolds with the younger generation as Dong Peng distances himself from Wang Wei, and Zhang Qianqian's behavior causes conflict at home.
Spoiler Alert
"Green Hills Are Home" Episode 22 Recap & Spoilers
Things are getting pretty intense in Yagou Village!
The episode kicks off with Dong Dalin explaining the whole illegal soil thing to Feng Qiulan when Chen Ling suddenly appears, waving a bank card with 140,000 on it. She wants to take the fall for Dong Dalin and pay the fine herself! Dong Dalin appreciates the gesture, but he refuses to take her money. Chen Ling then tells Feng Qiulan that eggs and millet won't cover the fine, and shoves the card into her hands anyway.
Meanwhile, Sis-in-law Feng goes to see Dong Dalin, but Grandma Dong gives her a hard time. When Sis-in-law Feng gets home, she finds Feng Gousheng sulking. They start arguing, and Feng Gousheng threatens to sell the house to pay his sister's fine, angry that she reported Dong Dalin. Sis-in-law Feng doesn't care, saying that if Dong Dalin hadn't done anything illegal, he wouldn't have to worry about being reported.
Dong Dalin visits his son at school and tells him not to let dating interfere with his studies. Dong Peng, sensing something is up at home, decides to distance himself from Wang Wei to avoid worrying his parents. This gives Gao Bingbing an opportunity to get closer to Wang Wei. Dong Xin spots Wang Wei at an internet cafe and remembers she used to be close to Dong Peng.
Dong Xin asks Dong Peng about Wang Wei, but Dong Peng is reluctant to talk about her. Dong Xin reveals that Wang Wei was at the internet cafe with another guy. Dong Peng insists he won't date during his four years of college, but Dong Xin warns him not to miss his chance. The next morning, Dong Xin joins Feng Qiulan and Dong Dalin for breakfast, praising his aunt for being so good to him. He complains that his parents are too busy making money, and Dong Dalin and Feng Qiulan exchange glances.
Word of the illegal soil excavation has spread like wildfire in Yagou Village. The villagers who signed up for the cooperative are now scared of getting involved and want to withdraw their investment. Wang Binzi and the others try to find Dong Dalin, but he's in the city and can't return right away. Grandma Dong tells Dong Dalin about the situation. Wang Binzi and the others wonder if Dong Dalin can turn things around, but Grandma Dong reassures them.
Fu Lijun mistakenly believes that Dong Dalin is a greedy person trying to take advantage of the elderly and that his "reporting" is for personal gain. As a result, he keeps shutting Dong Dalin down. Feng Qiulan is distracted by Dong Dalin's problems, and Dong Xin notices. He goes out to find Dong Dalin, pretending to buy eggs, and asks him what's going on.
Seeing that Dong Dalin hasn't returned from the city, Dong's parents become increasingly worried. Chen Ling seizes the opportunity to suggest that Dong Dalin give up green farming and help her manage money at the construction site. This way, she can rest assured, and the whole family can make money together. The two elders agree with Chen Ling's suggestion.
Meanwhile, Dong Xin accompanies Dong Dalin as he waits for Fu Lijun, only to have Fu Lijun order Dong Dalin to be taken away. In a fit of desperation, Dong Xin runs upstairs and pretends to jump off the building, threatening them not to take Dong Dalin. Mayor Zhang, who lives in the same complex, learns about the situation and promises to look into it and resolve Dong Dalin's issue.
That night, Dong Dalin and Feng Qiulan praise Dong Xin, and the whole family is warm and harmonious. Sister Yun from the barbecue restaurant brings her staff to invite Feng Qiulan to work at the restaurant. Dong Xin suggests going to the restaurant with Feng Qiulan, and Feng Qiulan agrees. Wang Binzi gets impatient and calls Dong Dalin, who tells him that he met with Mayor Zhang, finally putting him at ease. Mayor Zhang invites Dong Dalin to attend a symposium. Jiang Menglian learns about this and calls Dong Dalin, urging him to emphasize the urgency of green farming. They encourage each other on the phone, dreaming of the bright future of green farming.
Zhang Qianqian is clinging to Gao Bingbing, staying out late, and Zhang Kun and Dong Yan are anxious. When Zhang Qianqian returns home, Dong Yan slaps her hard. Zhang Kun quickly calms the mother and daughter. Meanwhile, Dong Xin can't focus on studying at the restaurant, as she has to help Feng Qiulan. Feng Qiulan refuses. After work, Dong Xin and Feng Qiulan walk home, and Dong Xin sweet-talks Feng Qiulan into letting her help out at the barbecue restaurant in the future.
