Episode Summary
Episode 22 saw Hu Manli and Xue Xiaozhou prevent Zhong Ning's suicide attempt on a rooftop, using emotional appeals and Junjun's intervention. Afterwards, Hu Manli and Xue Xiaozhou navigated their complex partnership, with Hu Manli selling a bag gifted by Tang Ling and later scheming against Tang Ling by falsely telling her that her partner, Chen Fang, was having an affair. Tang Ling discovered the lie after confronting Chen Fang and calling his company's HR. Meanwhile, Ding Zhiyuan struggled to cope with Qiu Lisu's pregnancy demands and the arrival of his critical parents, who immediately clashed with Qiu Lisu. Xue Xiaozhou, encouraged by Hu Manli, redoubled his efforts to win a major insurance account, planning to approach it via Ma Xiaowei.
Spoiler Alert
A Better Life: Episode 22 Recap & Spoilers
Alright folks, buckle up because Episode 22 kicked off with some serious high-stakes drama right on a rooftop. We find Zhong Ning literally on the edge, ready to end it all. Thankfully, Hu Manli and Xue Xiaozhou arrive just in time. Hu Manli tries to talk her down, appealing to logic – Zhong Ning had apparently called her insurance company thinking her son, Junjun, would be set with a trust fund. But Hu Manli drops a harsh truth bomb: if she commits suicide, the policy is void. Junjun gets nothing. Zhong Ning is too far gone, convinced Hu Manli is lying (and even hints Xue Xiaozhou lied to her too). She's lost all hope.
Just when you think it can't get crazier, Xue Xiaozhou climbs over the railing with her! He pulls the "if you jump, I jump" card, pouring out his own recent despair – his mom passed away, his girlfriend dumped him, feeling like a total wreck. He credits Hu Manli for snapping him out of it earlier and begs Zhong Ning to hang on, believing someone who cares will come along. Zhong Ning isn't buying it, but Hu Manli has one more play: she texts Junjun.
Junjun rushes in, armed with a photo Hu Manli had sent him (apparently showing Zhong Ning looking older?), absolutely heartbroken. He pleads with his mom to live. Zhong Ning, knowing her illness is terminal, doesn't want to just waste away. But Junjun's desperate promise to spend her final days with her finally breaks through. Cue the waterworks – mother and son cling to each other, sobbing. It's a truly heart-wrenching moment.
So, crisis averted thanks to Xue Xiaozhou's risky move! Hu Manli is seriously impressed, but also immediately regrets storming into that restaurant earlier to find Xue Xiaozhou. She's paranoid that Tang Ling now knows they're working together and will definitely retaliate. Speaking of Tang Ling, Xue Xiaozhou tries to give Hu Manli the bag Tang Ling gifted him, but Hu Manli's having none of it – she promptly takes it to a second-hand shop and sells it for 1000 yuan. Cold, but efficient!
Later, Xue Xiaozhou thanks Hu Manli for her support. She playfully suggests bumping up her commission percentage, but then gets real, opening up about her own struggles – feeling like a failure in both her career and marriage, constantly putting up a strong front. Xue Xiaozhou, maybe not knowing what to say, just quietly stays by her side, offering silent support. A nice little bonding moment after the chaos.
Meanwhile, Tang Ling gets home and tells Chen Fang that Hu Manli and Xue Xiaozhou are teaming up. Chen Fang wants Xue Xiaozhou out, but Tang Ling assures him she's already cooking up a scheme to bring Hu Manli down. Uh oh.
Switching gears to our other couple: Qiu Lisu is pulling the pregnancy card hard on Ding Zhiyuan, demanding he fetch her hongyou chaosho (spicy wontons) while he's swamped. He caves, buys them, and then... she doesn't want them anymore and gets hit with nausea. Ding Zhiyuan chalks it up to morning sickness. Then she ropes him into attending prenatal classes. The poor guy can't catch a break.
Back with Hu Manli and Xue Xiaozhou, she notices he's sprouting gray hairs (stress, much?) and helps him pluck them out. He's more determined than ever to land that big Ai Linjiang account, especially with that fancy car bonus on the line. Hu Manli seems to be on board now, or at least not actively trying to stop him. She points out that since he and Ai Linjiang are romantic rivals (presumably over her?), his proposal needs to be absolutely killer, something unique. This sparks an idea for Xue Xiaozhou: target Ma Xiaowei.
Things get complicated when Tang Ling suddenly texts Hu Manli, asking to meet at a beauty salon. Xue Xiaozhou is curious about their connection. Turns out, Tang Ling used to be a nail tech at a salon Hu Manli frequented. Hu Manli took her under her wing, mentored her, and later Tang Ling joined Taiying International insurance. Interesting backstory!
At the salon, Tang Ling actually proposes they cooperate. Hu Manli agrees, even offering to connect Tang Ling with a major client. But then, Hu Manli stirs the pot, mentioning she heard Chen Fang is trying to steal clients... and then drops a total lie, claiming Chen Fang is getting cozy with a hot new female employee at his company (Lan Yang Company).
Tang Ling totally falls for it! She storms home and confronts Chen Fang, who vehemently denies everything, insisting Hu Manli is setting him up. Tang Ling doesn't believe him and calls Lan Yang's HR department directly... only to confirm there is no new pretty female employee. Busted!
So, Hu Manli's plan was to deliberately plant that fake news to drive a wedge between Tang Ling and Chen Fang. Devious!
And to round things off, Ding Zhiyuan, completely overwhelmed with Qiu Lisu, calls in reinforcements: his parents. His mom immediately sizes up Qiu Lisu, thinking she's trouble and needs rules. When Ding Zhiyuan brings them home, Qiu Lisu puts on a welcoming face, but Ding's mom instantly asserts dominance, making Qiu Lisu give up the "seat of honor" to Ding's dad. Looks like Ding Zhiyuan is now caught squarely between his critical parents and his demanding pregnant partner. Yikes.
Phew! What an episode. Hu Manli's playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers, Xue Xiaozhou is trying to save lives and careers, and poor Ding Zhiyuan is just trying to survive pregnancy hormones and parental disapproval. Can't wait to see the fallout from Hu Manli's scheming next time!
