Episode Summary
Dong Dalin gives up his land rights and tries to return home, but his parents refuse due to pressure from Dong Erlin. After a storm causes pesticide runoff that kills village fish, Dalin investigates and confronts the culprits, leading to the dismissal of acting mayor Fu Liping. Chen Ling attempts to win back the elders’ favor with money, while Dalin pushes forward with his green farming project. Political support and business investment emerge, but family power struggles and hidden agendas complicate everything.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 11 of Green Hills Are Home brings a storm—literally and figuratively—as family tensions, environmental scandal, and political shakeups collide in Yagou Village. Buckle up, because this one’s packed.
The Prodigal Son Returns… But Not for Long
Dong Dalin and his wife Feng Qiulan make a surprising move: they voluntarily give up their claim to the disputed land and express their wish to move back into the family home. But even with this olive branch extended, Grandma and Grandpa Dong politely turn them down. Why? Because Dong Erlin—yes, the other son—is pulling strings behind the scenes. Grandma Dong even tries to hand over her bank card to Dalin as a gesture of trust, but he refuses to take it.
️ Storms, Poison, and a Fishy Scandal
After a night of torrential rain, disaster strikes. Pesticides from nearby farmland—used in excess by leased landholders—wash into a fish pond, killing off the entire stock. Dalin steps up, collecting water samples and inspecting the area. The culprit? Illegal pesticide use.
Dalin demands compensation for the villagers, but Chen Ling, ever the schemer, calls in acting township mayor Fu Liping to shield the guilty. Big mistake.
The Internet Never Forgets
Fu Liping shows up full of arrogance, ordering the dead fish to be removed and hoping to sweep the issue under the rug. But villagers capture everything and post it online. The result? A public outcry that leads to Fu Liping’s removal. Just like that, Yagou Village gets a new mayor—Wang Zhiyuan.
Dalin’s name is now on everyone’s lips. The man who got rid of a corrupt official? That’s no small feat. But fame comes with a price—people are starting to whisper that he’s made himself a target.
Chen Ling’s Countermove
With her political shield gone, Chen Ling quickly pivots. She gives Grandpa Dong ¥9,000 in interest and tells him she already transferred ¥300,000 into his account. Grandpa Dong is thrilled. This move is clearly strategic—she’s trying to win the family over again.
Meanwhile, Dalin’s green farming project is finally taking off. But not everything is rosy: some parts of the land are badly polluted, so he and the villagers haul fresh soil by hand, working nonstop. Grandpa Dong watches them exhausted and starts to reconsider his stance.
Dong Erlin’s True Colors
While his brother is out saving the environment, Dong Erlin is busy plotting financial gymnastics. He tells Chen Ling their parents haven’t agreed to invest yet, but he’s counting on their money to pay back his own debts. His plan? Pretend to save the interest for his parents, while actually robbing Peter to pay Paul.
⚠️ Trouble Brewing
Ma San, while chatting with Chen Ling, drops a bombshell: Dalin and Wang Binzi didn’t get approval for soil removal. That’s technically illegal. If someone reports it, they’re in serious trouble.
But just in time, new mayor Wang Zhiyuan shows up in person to visit Dalin in the fields. He pledges full support for Dalin’s green farming efforts. Fueled by this encouragement, Dalin works until nightfall, worrying his family who go out searching for him.
Grandma’s Mystery Bottles
Grandma Dong tries to buy sleeping pills at a clinic but leaves with only empty bottles—because you can’t just buy those medications without a prescription. What she’s planning with those bottles? That’s anyone’s guess, but it’s unsettling.
Chen Ling Sets a Trap
Chen Ling isn’t done. She returns the borrowed money to Grandpa Dong faster than expected—complete with interest. He’s thrilled, and emotionally starts leaning back toward her. Sensing an opportunity, she approaches Dong Yan and promises ten acres of land if she supports her. Dong Yan, tempted, starts to waver.
Big Business Arrives
Jiang Menglian returns to Yagou Village with her assistant and Gao Guangzhu. After inspecting the land, she confirms that the new soil has helped. But there’s a catch: her company, Lvfeng, is willing to invest—if Dalin can fork out ¥2 million of his own money as part of a ¥10 million co-investment. Risk-sharing, they call it.
Word spreads fast. Villagers gather to gossip, and Grandpa Dong, hearing this, starts tilting back toward Dalin's side. Feng Qiulan, learning that Dong Yan visited Chen Ling, is even more determined to secure the elderly couple’s support before their loyalty flips again.
Just as Grandma Dong agrees to lend money to Feng Qiulan, guess who walks in? Yep—Dong Erlin and Dong Yan.
Final Thoughts
Episode 11 is a masterclass in rural power dynamics. Dalin is rising as a local hero, but every win brings new enemies. Chen Ling is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. And with money, land, and family loyalty all in flux, it’s anyone’s game.
