Episode Summary
The Dong family’s land disputes escalate as selfless eldest son Dong Dalin prioritizes caring for his aging parents over property claims, while scheming in-laws Chen Ling and Dong Yan manipulate tensions. Teen Dong Peng’s maturity shines as he rejects Grandpa’s money for city school, but a harmless bike ride with classmate Wang Wei fuels Chen Ling’s gossip. Meanwhile, Grandma’s "land follows the person" rule sparks a chaotic custody battle over the elders.
Spoiler Alert
Green Hills Are Home Episode 3 Recap & Spoilers: Family Feuds and Filial Feels
The Dong family drama continues to simmer in this episode as land disputes, sibling rivalries, and teenage innocence collide in rural China. Let’s unpack the chaos!
The Golden Child vs. The Gossip Queen
Despite being denied Grandpa Dong’s 10-acre inheritance, eldest son Dong Dalin and his wife Feng Qiulan stay dutifully sweet to the in-laws. Their son Dong Peng, resigned to skipping city school, even comforts his mom with a brave "I’m fine!" façade. Enter Aunt Dong Yan—the family’s resident pot-stirrer—who tries poisoning Grandma Dong against Dalin’s family by labeling them "greedy." Grandma ain’t having it, though, and literally boots Yan and her husband Zhang Kun out the door.
Sibling Sabotage 101
Yan and Kun slink over to second son Dong Erlin’s house, where Erlin’s wife Chen Ling puts on her best "sharp-tongued saint" act. The two women bond over trash-talking Dalin’s family, but Grandpa Dong sits alone outside, haunted by guilt. Meanwhile, golden grandson Dong Peng delivers homemade meals like nothing’s wrong, melting Grandma’s heart as she tearfully eats. Grandpa cracks first, offering Peng 20,000 yuan for city school—but the kid refuses, reverse-comforting Grandpa instead. Cue audience tears.
Country Exodus & Green Dreams
With Dalin’s green farming plans stalled (thanks to losing the land), neighbors abandon the village for city jobs. Dalin watches their bus leave, stubbornly clinging to his eco-agriculture dream while Feng pushes him to join the urban exodus. Over at Erlin’s place, Chen Ling gloats about her land-grab schemes, but even her husband calls her out: "Remember how Dalin quit school to feed us all?" Chen Ling, unsurprisingly, ignores this.
Granny Wars: Real Estate Edition
Grandma’s declining health sparks a geriatric Hunger Games. Since Grandpa can’t cook or clean, the brothers must house their parents—and whoever "wins" gets the 10 acres. Chen Ling salivates over the land prize, while Dalin selflessly offers to host the elders without demanding the property. But when Grandma declares "the land follows the person," signaling plans to move in with Dalin, Erlin storms out in a huff.
Teen Drama Alert
The episode’s lighter moments come from Dong Peng and classmate Wang Wei. After his bike breaks down, Wei gives him a ride home—a scene spotted by Erlin’s son Dong Xin, who rats them out to his mom. Later, Wei tearfully reveals she’s transferring to a city school and offers to ask her dad to help Peng enroll. Peng politely declines but arranges a farewell meetup… which Chen Ling spies and immediately weaponizes. "Look at your nephew ‘dating’!" she sneers at Dalin, because apparently, teens can’t just be friends?
Verdict: This episode serves up guilt trips, generational clashes, and a masterclass in how not to host family reunions. Dalin’s green farming hustle vs. Chen Ling’s land-hungry antics? We’re officially invested.
