Episode Summary

Hu Manli has Xue Xiaozhou move in to help tutor and transport her son, Ding Da'er, while she aggressively pursues clients using budget tactics and leveraging all connections. Xue Xiaozhou helps Ding Da'er confess his crush on Wang Shiyan, who is moving away, leading to Hu Manli discovering the "love letter" she initially mistook for homework. After a confrontation, Hu Manli reconciles with Ding Da'er but immediately pressures Xue Xiaozhou to use his hospital connections (Wu Ya) for her business. Meanwhile, Ding Zhiyuan faces suspension from his show ("Zheren Shuo") after Li Fendou publishes a book preface with his forged signature and refuses his boss Kevin's demand to run ads, leading to a heated argument with Qiu Lisu.

Spoiler Alert

"A Better Life" Episode 15 Recap & Spoilers: Puppy Love, Hustle, and Headaches

Alright, so things are getting real interesting at Hu Manli's place. She's got Xue Xiaozhou crashing with her now, and his rent basically involves being Ding Da'er's personal chauffeur and English tutor. Talk about a deal! While Xue Xiaozhou is busy with kiddo duty, Hu Manli is out there trying to make things happen. She gets all dolled up for client meetings, choosing a swanky Western restaurant in Shanghai's fancy Lujiazui district. But here's the kicker – she uses a coupon for a 49 RMB set meal, meets a bunch of potential clients back-to-back, makes sure to document it all for her social media feed (gotta keep up appearances!), and even packs up the leftover pastries. You gotta respect the hustle, even if it's a bit extra!

Meanwhile, Xue Xiaozhou picks up Ding Da'er from school and, like any observant adult, immediately clocks that the kid has a crush on a classmate, Wang Shiyan. Ding Da'er practically begs Xue Xiaozhou to keep it on the down-low, especially from his mom.

When they get home, Hu Manli is ready to pounce. She lays into Ding Da'er, and he instantly panics, thinking she found out about Wang Shiyan. Turns out, she's just mad his English test scores dropped (ouch!). Xue Xiaozhou tries to play mediator but ends up getting an earful too for not tutoring Ding Da'er well enough. Yikes.

Later that night, Ding Da'er is clearly bummed out. Xue Xiaozhou pries it out of him: Wang Shiyan's dad is moving to the US for work, and she's leaving the day after tomorrow! Ding Da'er's feeling pretty down, thinking he's not good enough for her. Ever the wingman, Xue Xiaozhou encourages him to confess his feelings and even helps him draft a letter... in English, naturally.

Just as they're mid-letter, Hu Manli walks in with fruit. Ding Da'er scrambles to hide the evidence, but Mom's got quick reflexes and snatches it. Thinking fast, Xue Xiaozhou claims it's just an English essay. Hu Manli, whose English seems shaky at best, demands Ding Da'er read it aloud. As he does, Xue Xiaozhou provides a completely bogus, off-the-cuff translation. Hu Manli, impressed (or clueless), wants to take a picture to brag online. Xue Xiaozhou frantically stops her, saying it needs corrections, but uh oh, she already snapped a pic of the "essay." Foreshadowing, anyone?

Hu Manli continues her relentless networking, hitting up everyone she knows, down to the convenience store owner and market vendors. She overhears that Boss Chen, the seafood guy, is having trouble with an accident insurance claim. She swoops in, helps him sort it out, and earns his major gratitude. Later, feeling proud, Hu Manli shows off the photo of Ding Da'er's "essay" to Zhong Ning... who promptly tells her it's not an essay, it's a love letter. Double yikes.

After school, Ding Da'er musters up the courage to give Wang Shiyan a gift and the letter. He watches her leave, feeling heartbroken and already worried she'll block him online. Xue Xiaozhou tries to tell him not to overthink it.

Back home, the atmosphere is frosty. Hu Manli is giving them the silent treatment, just eating dinner grimly. They nervously join her, and Xue Xiaozhou tries desperately to break the tension. Hu Manli isn't having it. She asks to see the "revised essay." Xue Xiaozhou lies that it's already been handed in to the teacher. Then Hu Manli declares she's posting the photo she took. Ding Da'er pleads with her not to.

That's when Hu Manli explodes. She can't believe Ding Da'er is having "puppy love" behind her back, and worse, that Xue Xiaozhou helped him! Xue Xiaozhou tries to explain, but Hu Manli unleashes all her frustration on him. He manages to push Ding Da'er into his room and has a heart-to-heart with Hu Manli, emphasizing it's just innocent mutual affection, not some serious romance, and pointing out that Ding Da'er feels insecure because of her bankruptcy.

This actually gets through to Hu Manli. She goes to Ding Da'er, apologizes (!), lists all his good qualities, and encourages him to focus on his studies. Mother and son make up. Aww.

But Hu Manli's business brain never stops. She immediately tries to get Xue Xiaozhou to use his connection with Wu Ya (presumably someone at the hospital where his mom is) to drum up clients. He tries to dodge, but she presses him, first by getting him to write up that policy for Boss Chen (the seafood guy) and dangling the incentive of a company car if he brings in enough business. Xue Xiaozhou is tempted. Hu Manli then insists on meeting Wu Ya. Cornered, Xue Xiaozhou agrees. He goes to the hospital to check on his mom, Hu Manli tags along, and when Wu Ya comes to discuss treatment plans, Hu Manli smoothly gets her WeChat contact info. The hustle never sleeps!

Switching gears to Ding Zhiyuan's drama:

Li Fendou's book is out, and guess what? The preface has Ding Zhiyuan's signature. The big boss, General Manager Kevin, is furious and wants to suspend Ding Zhiyuan's show, "Zheren Shuo" (something like "Philosopher's Talk"?), for a month.

Zhong Ning breaks the news to Ding Zhiyuan. He insists he never wrote it, explaining Li Fendou got him to sign something while he was drunk. Zhong Ning promises to explain this to Kevin. However, Kevin then demands Ding Zhiyuan incorporate sea cucumber ads into his philosophical show. Ding Zhiyuan flat-out refuses. Zhong Ning warns him about the consequences, but he won't budge. So, Zhong Ning has to tell him Kevin's decision stands (likely meaning the suspension is on).

Fuming, Ding Zhiyuan goes directly to confront Qiu Lisu (her connection to Li Fendou isn't explicitly stated, but she seems involved). He threatens to sue Li Fendou for infringement. Qiu Lisu tries to reason with him, but they're both dug in, arguing fiercely until she finally kicks him out.

So, Episode 15 leaves us with:

  • Hu Manli patching things up with her son, only to immediately leverage Xue Xiaozhou's connections for her own gain.
  • Xue Xiaozhou caught between his loyalty to Ding Da'er, his obligations to Hu Manli, and his own potential ambition (that company car!).
  • Ding Da'er navigating his first heartbreak and his mom's intense pressure.
  • Ding Zhiyuan facing a career crisis over a forged signature and refusing to compromise his principles, leading to a major fallout.