Episode Summary
Ning Xiuxiu learns she is pregnant just as her husband, Big Foot Feng, embarks on a risky salt-smuggling venture.Meanwhile, a new threat arrives in the village when Feng Si returns with bandits from Rooster Ridge, intending to help their leader rob the Ning family.Their scouting mission is thwarted by Xiuxiu and Ning Kejin, culminating in a tense hostage situation that ends with the bandits' capture.
Spoiler Alert
First off, Ning Xiuxiu brings Ning Susu back to her place. She finally gets some good news: her mother-in-law tells her that Big Foot Feng is safe and has left with Guo Guiyao. The relief is so overwhelming that Xiuxiu, who's been under a lot of stress, just faints. When Feng Er gets a doctor, they find out the big news – Xiuxiu is pregnant! She and Feng Er are overjoyed, but Xiuxiu is still worried about her husband and wants to check in with Ning Xuewu for more details.
Meanwhile, Big Foot Feng is with Guo Guiyao. He wants to send a message to Xiuxiu, but Guo assures him that Ning Xuewu will handle it. They head to the coast to deal in salt. It's Feng's first time seeing the ocean, and he's totally blown away. While Guo is off meeting with salt dealers, Feng wanders around and buys a nice bathtub for Xiuxiu. Later that night, Guo takes him to an opera, but Feng isn't a fan and tries to leave. This causes a little scene with one of the actresses, Lulu, who wants him to pay up first.
Back at the Feng household, Ning Susu, who is used to a much fancier lifestyle, can't stomach the simple food and is starving. Xiuxiu, despite having some pretty bad morning sickness, gives Susu her own piece of flatbread. Later, Ning Xuewu sends his son, Ning Kebi, to confirm that Big Foot Feng is indeed safe. Feng Er is in a great mood and tells his wife to cook an egg for the pregnant Xiuxiu. But Xiuxiu, being kind, gives the egg to Susu instead. This really upsets Feng Er, who complains loudly about it. Susu overhears, feels embarrassed, and realizes the egg was meant for Xiuxiu.
Just then, Fei Zuoshi shows up. She wants to take Ning Susu back to the Fei family home. She swears she never kicked Susu out and blames the whole mess on Ning Xuexiang, who was apparently using Susu to get back at her over a dispute about "Permanent tenancy rights." Xiuxiu is protective and doesn't want to let Susu go, but after Fei Zuoshi pleads her case, Susu decides to return. Before leaving, she makes sure to get money from Fei Zuoshi to pay Feng Er back for the egg.
Over on the coast, Guo Guiyao, Big Foot Feng, and Lulu's younger brother, Xiaohu, head out to sea to a salt field. Feng gets terribly seasick. When they get to the salt field, they have to pay a fee to get access. As they're loading up, Xiaohu fakes a sprained ankle and asks Feng to carry his bag to the boat. Then, Xiaohu grabs two extra bags of salt and makes a run for it but gets caught by officials. Feng is upset that Guo didn't help, but Guo explains it's all for show; the officials just want a bribe, and Xiaohu will be out soon. Still feeling bad, Feng secretly leaves some money for Lulu to help out.
The real trouble starts when the bandit Hu San, still bitter about Xiuxiu escaping from his mountain stronghold, decides he wants to rob the Ning family and capture her. He sends Feng Si, along with two other bandits, to scout the village.
Susu, now back to her comfortable life at the Fei's, gets bored and goes to visit Xiuxiu. While they're out for a walk, they see Feng Si with two strangers. Xiuxiu immediately recognizes them as bandits from Rooster Ridge and sends Susu to warn Ning Kejin.
Xiuxiu then goes home and asks Feng Er if they have any cousins visiting. When he says no, she tells him about seeing Feng Si with the bandits. Feng Er is furious that his own relative is mixed up with criminals and wants to confront him. At the same time, Ning Kejin arrives with his militia and surrounds Feng Si's house.
Things escalate quickly. Feng Er finds Feng Si in the village and threatens him. The bandits, seeing they're cornered, grab Feng's mother as a hostage. Just in the nick of time, Ning Kejin and his men show up. Kejin aims his gun at Feng Si, but Xiuxiu tries to de-escalate, lying that Feng Si was just visiting his kid. Kejin plays it smart, offering to trade himself for the hostage. As soon as the bandits release the old woman, Kejin's men open fire, injuring and capturing the two bandits.
Under questioning, Feng Si confesses everything – they were scouting for Hu San's raid. Kejin immediately takes his men to secure the village entrances, just as Hu San and his main group of bandits are approaching, hearing the gunshots from a distance.
