Episode Summary
Ye Lang continues working unpaid at Xiao Min's coffee shop after his suspension, causing awkwardness until Xiao Min pays him and asks him to leave after being mistaken for her husband. At the matchmaking agency, Xia Wanqing refuses to continue finding matches for Zhao Xiaoman, who seeks a wife primarily to care for his paralyzed mother; Cheng Xu takes over the difficult case. He Huanhuan clashes with his mother after she catches him cosplaying with Cao Zixuan instead of being on a date; he temporarily leaves home but reconciles after Cao Zixuan intervenes. Later, He Huanhuan moves into his own apartment, and his mother, learning Cao Zixuan is a lawyer, surprisingly approves of their relationship. Cheng Xu finds a potential match for Zhao Xiaoman in Zhang Jing, a professional nanny seeking to settle down.
Spoiler Alert
"Home about Us" Episode 25 Recap & Spoilers: Awkward Roommates, Matchmaking Mayhem, and Family Feuds
Alright, kicking things off, Ye Lang is still dealing with the fallout from his suspension. His coping mechanism? Basically becoming an unpaid barista and handyman at Xiao Min's coffee shop. Xiao Min is, understandably, pretty weirded out by this. She's tried telling him to leave, but he's stubbornly sticking around, working for free. It's creating a seriously awkward vibe, especially since she's recently divorced.
The awkwardness hits peak levels when one of Xiao Min's business partners mistakes Ye Lang for her husband! That's the last straw for Xiao Min. She confronts Ye Lang, pays him for the "work" he's done, and firmly tells him not to come back. She needs to shut down any potential misunderstandings. For his part, Ye Lang apparently doesn't have any ulterior motives; he genuinely just wants Xiao Min to be happy. Bless his heart, but maybe find a less invasive way, buddy?
Meanwhile, over at the matchmaking agency, things are getting complicated. Xia Wanqing pays a visit to a client, Zhao Xiaoman, who's been caring for his mother at home. He's been on their books for a while but hasn't found a match because his requirements are... intense. He's looking for a wife specifically willing to care for his mother, who is paralyzed after a stroke. After chatting with him, Xia Wanqing realizes he's essentially looking for a live-in caregiver, not a partner. Zhao Xiaoman denies this, insisting he needs a wife to look after his mom because he only trusts family.
Back at the office, Xia Wanqing puts her foot down. She tells her colleagues she refuses to find Zhao Xiaoman another match, stating that as a woman, she can't ethically push another woman into what she sees as a terrible situation ("a fiery pit," as the source puts it). Li Lefan gets her point but brings up the practical problem: if Zhao Xiaoman demands a refund, the company faces financial penalties, and nobody wants to cough up the cash. Seeing the dilemma, Cheng Xu bravely volunteers to take on Zhao Xiaoman's case.
Now, let's talk family drama! Cao Zixuan and He Huanhuan are having fun cosplaying at the mall when He Huanhuan's mom catches them. This does not go over well. Mom is furious because He Huanhuan had lied, telling her he was out on a date with Luo Xiaotong (presumably a potential match she approves of). She immediately blames Cao Zixuan for being a bad influence.
He Huanhuan, fed up, argues with his mom and storms out, deciding to camp outside in a tent rather than go home. His frantic parents call in reinforcements: Qin Tianyue and Feng Qingming. They find He Huanhuan by the river, but he refuses to budge or listen to their attempts to mediate.
The situation only de-escalates when Cao Zixuan arrives. Stepping up as his friend, she defends He Huanhuan to his parents. She explains that he's put up with being misunderstood (even labeled a "mama's boy") for years because he loves his mom and doesn't want to upset her, knowing her health isn't great. This seems to hit home, especially with He Huanhuan's dad, who admits he's sorry for ignoring his son's feelings (though he still maintains Huanhuan shouldn't yell at his mom). Cao Zixuan encourages He Huanhuan to "be a man," apologize, and sort things out. He eventually does, apologizes, and goes home with his parents.
Later, we see a positive step: He Huanhuan finally moves into his own place! His parents help him move his stuff. Cao Zixuan stops by to celebrate his housewarming, but this time she's dressed in professional attire. He Huanhuan's mom is surprised to learn Cao Zixuan is actually a lawyer. He Huanhuan points out she was always a "respectable girl." In a complete turnaround, Mom now seems totally supportive of them dating, leaving both He Huanhuan and Cao Zixuan a bit flustered. Quite the change of tune!
Back at the agency (called Destiny in the text), Dong Jiajia shows up. It seems there was some previous drama involving her deceiving Zhang Shiqi, which she admits wasn't entirely her intention. She also points out flaws in Destiny's matchmaking event for "high-caliber talent." Qin Tianyue acknowledges their shortcomings and promises improvements.
Finally, Cheng Xu gets proactive on the Zhao Xiaoman case. He visits a domestic help agency and finds Zhang Jing, a top-rated ("gold medal") nanny who wants to settle down in Ningzhou. Cheng Xu shows her Zhao Xiaoman's profile. Seeing potential interest from Zhang Jing, Cheng Xu quickly arranges a meeting between her and Zhao Xiaoman. Could this unconventional match actually work? We'll have to wait and see!
And that's the scoop on Episode 25! Lots of interpersonal drama, ethical quandaries, and maybe, just maybe, some surprising new beginnings. Stay tuned for more!
