Episode Summary
Xue Xiaozhou achieves top sales performance, earning a car and a promotion to Director handling major clients. While celebrating, Hu Manli's father, Hu Degong, collapses from a cerebral hemorrhage requiring urgent surgery. As Hu Manli deals with this crisis, Xue Xiaozhou steps up to help care for her son, Ding Da'er. Simultaneously, a past insurance deal Hu Manli handled goes sour, threatening her career and finances as the company discovers a compliance violation (a potentially forged document) and wants her to cover the multi-million RMB penalty. Adding to the tension, Hu Manli's ex, Ding Zhiyuan, reappears to offer support, securing a hospital bed for Hu Degong, which makes Xue Xiaozhou feel uneasy. Xue Xiaozhou also learns his ex, Wu Ya, has married Ai Linjiang.
Spoiler Alert
"A Better Life" Episode 24 Recap: Promotions, Panic, and Problems
Alright, so picking up where we left off, Xue Xiaozhou is absolutely killing it. He successfully landed that huge deal with Ai Zhonghua, rocketing him to the number one spot in sales performance. As promised by the company rules, this means a brand-new car! First thing he does? Takes Hu Manli to pick one out. But, in a move that really shows what she's about, Hu Manli isn't wowed by shiny new wheels. Instead, she points out the trusty shopping cart her market clients gifted her. She takes Xue Xiaozhou to the local market, where she's greeted like a returning hero. Vendors shower her with greetings and samples of their best stuff – Boss Chen even gives her a couple of fish! Seeing the genuine pride on Hu Manli's face as she connects with these people, Xue Xiaozhou has a lightbulb moment: what Hu Manli truly values is the trust and relationships she's built. He's seriously impressed and sees her in a new light.
Fast forward to the spring of 2024. Li Qingqing calls Xue Xiaozhou into her office. Praising his incredible performance over the past six months, she promotes him to Director! He's now part of the "family office," tasked with handling the big-fish clients. Xue Xiaozhou, bless his heart, feels a bit overwhelmed and worries if he's up for it. He immediately texts Hu Manli, suggesting they discuss it – naturally, he picks a fancy Michelin-starred restaurant for the occasion. Hu Manli is his rock, telling him not to pass up this amazing opportunity. She firmly believes he can handle it and encourages him to go for it. Feeling boosted, Xue Xiaozhou boldly declares right then and there that he plans to support her financially in the future. Whoa!
On Xue Xiaozhou's first official day as Director, Li Qingqing arranges for a reporter from "Business New Forces" (sounds like a trade publication) to interview him, even showing up personally to congratulate him. Proud as punch, Xue Xiaozhou sends the interview video straight to Hu Manli. She happens to be having a meal with her friend Zhong Ning, and they watch it together, Hu Manli feeling incredibly happy and validated for him.
But the good vibes take a sharp turn. After parting ways with Zhong Ning, Hu Manli is heading home when she gets a terrifying smart alert: her father, Hu Degong, has collapsed. She rushes home and gets him to the hospital immediately.
Meanwhile, Xue Xiaozhou starts his day, feeling on top of the world. Scrolling through his phone, he casually sees Wu Ya's social media post announcing her marriage to Ai Linjiang (remember him?). He hits 'like' – seems like he's processing it. Then, he hears about Hu Degong being hospitalized and drops everything to rush over. The news isn't good: Hu Degong suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and needs immediate brain surgery (a craniotomy). Hu Manli is understandably terrified and frozen with indecision. Xue Xiaozhou steps up, firmly stating that saving his life is the priority. Hu Manli, trusting him, signs the surgical consent form.
Just then, reality hits – her son, Ding Da'er, needs to be picked up from school, and she obviously can't leave. Xue Xiaozhou instantly volunteers to go get him. Wu Ya also arrives at the hospital, offering comfort and support to Hu Manli during this incredibly stressful time.
Okay, brace yourselves, because here comes more drama. Word gets out that a wealth management insurance policy Hu Manli previously sold to a client, Boss Ma, has "exploded" – basically, Boss Ma's business failed, and he can no longer pay the premiums. The insurance company investigated and discovered that the required recorded statement/agreementincludes a commitment letter that Hu Manli apparently signed on behalf of Boss Ma – a major compliance violation. Seeing an opportunity, the ever-scheming Tang Ling wants to use this to completely destroy Hu Manli's career and urges Chen Fang to report it straight to the head office. Yikes.
Hu Manli spends a harrowing night vigil at the hospital. Xue Xiaozhou takes care of Ding Da'er at home, even taking him to school the next morning where Ding Da'er's classmates adorably mistake Xue Xiaozhou for his older brother.
Ding Zhiyuan (likely Ding Da'er's father and Hu Manli's ex) hears about Hu Degong's hospitalization and rushes over, bringing a sum of money to help. Hu Manli politely refuses, but Ding Zhiyuan insists she take it, framing it as payment for some of Hu Degong's famous medicinal wine. Only then does she accept.
Xue Xiaozhou arrives back at the hospital after the school run. Ding Zhiyuan curiously asks who he is, and Hu Manli introduces him simply as a "colleague." Ding Zhiyuan offers to take Ding Da'er home with him, but Xue Xiaozhou firmly (and maybe a bit protectively?) insists he'll continue looking after the boy.
Hospital logistics add another layer of stress – there's a bed shortage, and Hu Degong is initially placed in a temporary bed (likely in a hallway or overflow area). Wu Ya jumps into action, using her connections to help secure a proper room. Xue Xiaozhou thanks her sincerely. Wu Ya awkwardly apologizes for forgetting to hide her wedding announcement post from him on social media, but Xue Xiaozhou assures her it's okay, he's moved on, and they can just be friends. It seems like a genuine moment of closure.
Ding Zhiyuan isn't idle either; he hears his university department head has a relative working in the Health Bureau and goes to ask for help getting Hu Degong a better bed situation.
The news about Boss Ma's defaulted policy spreads like wildfire. The insurance company's head office legal team receives a court summons related to the case. President Jin is notified. The head office is not happy about potentially being on the hook for a 4 million RMB penalty and wants the salesperson involved – Hu Manli – to bear the cost herself. This could be financially devastating for her.
Xue Xiaozhou, after dropping Ding Da'er at school again, gets a call from Wu Ya letting him know Hu Degong has been moved to a four-person room. He hurries back to the hospital, only to find Ding Zhiyuan already there with Hu Manli, tending to her father. When he hears that Ding Zhiyuan was the one who successfully arranged the better room, Xue Xiaozhou feels a distinct pang of... something. Jealousy? Awkwardness? He feels "sour", makes a quick excuse about having something to do, and leaves. Oof, the triangle vibes are strong here.
He heads back to the office, where his new status is immediately apparent. Colleagues are suddenly super respectful, almost bowing, someone even rushes to hold the elevator door for him. Xue Xiaozhou finds this new level of deference deeply uncomfortable. Li Qingqing, however, has set him up nicely with the best office and officially assigns him a company car.
So, Episode 24 leaves us with Xue Xiaozhou riding high professionally but feeling awkward about the perks and definitely feeling some type of way about Ding Zhiyuan's presence in Hu Manli's life. Meanwhile, Hu Manli is facing an absolute nightmare: her father's critical health crisis and a potentially career-ending, financially ruinous scandal brewing at work. Talk about a cliffhanger! Can't wait to see how they navigate all this next time.
