Episode Summary
In episode 16, Xu Kaixin continues to test Mei Chengyi's reliability as he struggles to balance a crucial job opportunity with childcare. Hu Xiaojiao is manipulated by Qian Hao's emotional pleas about his dying mother and agrees to keep their baby, making her vulnerable to an online scammer. Tensions rise during a family visit when Qian Hao's mother shows blatant favoritism toward her grandson, forcing Qian Hao to manage the fallout.
Spoiler Alert
Double Happiness Episode 16 Recap & Spoilers
In an episode packed with emotional ultimatums and quiet sacrifices, the characters of "Double Happiness" find themselves at critical crossroads, testing the limits of their relationships and resolve.
Xu Kaixin Puts Mei Chengyi to the Test
The tentative romance between Xu Kaixin and Mei Chengyi is put on hold as Kaixin decides Chengyi hasn't yet earned her full trust. After Chengyi drops her off, he doesn't come inside. Kaixin explains to her aunt, Sister Lili, that she's not ready for him to meet her family. She sees his potential unemployment as the ultimate trial by fire; she wants to see how he handles adversity before she can consider him a truly dependable partner. For Kaixin, they are nowhere near the "meet the parents" stage.
Later, Kaixin’s resolve is called upon when Chengyi faces a classic work-life crisis. He has a crucial, hour-long window to drive a potential new boss, Mr. Lin, to the airport and secure a job offer. This leaves him unable to pick up his two daughters from their classes. He desperately calls his former in-laws for help, but his father-in-law, Youyou's dad, deliberately ignores the calls, wanting to prove to Chengyi that he can't manage without the family's support.
As a last resort, Chengyi calls Kaixin. She immediately drops everything to help, but is met with hostility from his daughters, who refuse to go with her, accusing her of trying to become their new stepmom.
Hu Xiaojiao's High-Stakes Decision
Meanwhile, Hu Xiaojiao is confronted by a desperate Qian Hao. He reveals that his mother, Qin Sulan, is gravely ill with cancer that has spread, leaving her with only two months to live. Her dying wish, he claims, is the hope of seeing a grandson. Kneeling and begging, Qian Hao swears he will change his ways and treat the baby as his own flesh and blood if she stays. Moved by his plea, Xiaojiao agrees to stop the abortion and remain with him.
Her decision has immediate consequences. When her father, Xia Chungeng, calls to arrange for Ma Xiaomei to take her to the hospital, Xiaojiao informs him she's keeping the baby. An angry Ma Xiaomei hangs up, and Xia Chungeng washes his hands of the matter.
Unseen, a greater danger looms. Xiaojiao messages her online friend, "Tianya," to say she has reconciled with her husband and they'll be talking less. The person on the other end, a scammer, sees her gullibility and emotional vulnerability. The scammer notes that she is the perfect target to be "fattened up for the slaughter."
Family Tensions Boil Over
The weekend brings a tense family outing. Kaixin helps get Dami and Xiaomi ready for a visit with Qian Hao and his mother, Qin Sulan. In the car, Qian Hao repeatedly warns his mother not to show any favoritism, but the moment they meet the children, Qin Sulan fawns over her grandson, Xiaomi, while completely ignoring Dami. An embarrassed Qian Hao tries to overcompensate by being extra attentive to his daughter. Watching from a distance, Kaixin sends him a pointed message, showing a screenshot of his 8,000 yuan security deposit with a warning: if Dami comes home unhappy, he won't be getting it back.
Later, Qian Hao pulls Dami aside and privately explains that his mother is very sick, asking her to think of Qin Sulan as a child and not take her behavior to heart. Dami, showing maturity beyond her years, agrees not to tell Kaixin what happened.
Career and Conscience
In the car with Mr. Lin, Mei Chengyi receives a tempting offer: a 30% salary increase and permission to bring two of his team members with him to the new company. The catch? To accommodate his raise, his two colleagues would have to accept a pay cut. Chengyi is left speechless, caught in a difficult moral dilemma.
In the background, his father-in-law, realizing Chengyi has stopped calling for help, grows anxious. He tries calling back, but now it's Chengyi's phone that goes unanswered.
Quiet Moments in a Somber Place
In a quieter storyline, Youyou and her mentor, Hu Pei, share a barbecue at the cemetery where her sister, You Xin, is buried. Concerned for her comfort and safety, Hu Pei decides to stay for a couple of days, setting up a cot in his office nearby to keep her company. He tells her to call if she needs anything, but Youyou admits she isn't scared; being near her sister brings her a sense of peace.
