Episode Summary
Episode 33 sees the brief and troubled return of war hero Ning Kejin, whose presence incites a violent conflict with the vengeful Niwei, forcing Kejin to leave his family once again for their safety. In his absence, a new romance blossoms between Ning Susu and her rescuer, Guo Guiyao, leading to an unexpected pregnancy. The episode concludes with a brutal act by Japanese soldiers, who murder a villager, reminding everyone of the constant danger they live under.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 33 of This Thriving Land begins with Ning Kejin's harrowing return. After his army unit was scattered by a Japanese raid, he was captured. He managed to escape with a few buddies but nearly starved before the Eighth Route Army found them and gave them some money. After a month-long journey, he finally makes it home, looking so worn out that his father, Ning Xuexiang, is heartbroken to see him.
It's been years since Kejin left, and his younger siblings Ning Susu and Ning Xiuxiu are overjoyed to finally have their big brother back. The family is reunited at last. Susu is eager for news about her sister-in-law, Lian Ye, and her nephew, Xiao Chuanzi. Kejin explains that Xiao Chuanzi has joined the New Fourth Army and is fighting the Japanese on the front lines in Northern Jiangsu. To be closer to her son, Lian Ye has moved in with her uncle in the same region. Inspired by Kejin's stories, both Ning Keyu and Feng Jiaming are fired up and want to join the fight, but Ning Xiuxiu sends them off to bed, warning them to keep Kejin's return a secret.
Kejin is furious about his experience and plans to join the Communist Party to continue fighting after he recovers from his injuries. He decides to stay at Ning Xiuxiu's house to avoid bringing trouble to his father. As Ning Xuexiang, Ning Keyu, and Ning Susu head home, they run into a drunk and belligerent Niwei. He demands that Ning Xuexiang return the twenty acres of land that belonged to his father and grandfather, insisting it was stolen. Ning Xuexiang firmly states that he bought the land legally from Niwei's father, Feng Si, and has the contract and deed to prove it. Niwei refuses to listen and threatens him.
When Ning Keyu tries to use Kejin's reputation as a war hero to scare Niwei off, it backfires—Niwei isn't intimidated at all. Fed up with the argument, Ning Susu suggests they find a mediator, which only enrages Niwei further. He lunges at Ning Xuexiang, but Kuangzi arrives just in time to pull the family away, leaving Niwei shouting curses behind them.
The next morning, Niwei secretly follows Ning Susu as she brings chicken soup to Kejin at Xiuxiu's house. Discovering Kejin is back, Niwei kidnaps Susu. Luckily, Guo Guiyao spots them and bravely rushes in to save her. Niwei, furious, takes his anger out on Guo Guiyao, beating him savagely and even smashing his leg with a large rock. Zhuzi and others arrive to chase Niwei away. Seeing how badly Guo Guiyao is hurt, Susu decides to stay and care for him.
That night, Niwei sneaks into Xiuxiu's house to assassinate Kejin. The two get into a fierce fight, and Xiuxiu rushes to protect her brother. Niwei screams that he wants revenge for his father, Feng Si, but is suddenly stopped when Meiwei appears and forces him to leave.
Worried, Xiuxiu finds a doctor for Kejin and posts Kela and Feng Jiaming as lookouts. Fearing he's putting his family in danger, Kejin decides to leave to find his son, Xiao Chuanzi, and fight alongside him. The family shares a tearful goodbye, unsure of when they will see each other again.
In the aftermath, Ning Susu nurses Guo Guiyao back to health. As his condition improves, he confesses his love for her, promising to protect her for the rest of his life. Susu realizes she has feelings for him too, and they become intimate. Meanwhile, after Fei Zuoshi hears of her son Fei Wendian's death, she cruelly sends Susu back to her family. Consumed by grief, Fei Zuoshi becomes mentally unstable, spending her days praying at the family shrine or wandering the streets searching for her son. When Susu finds her, she decides to stay and take care of her former mother-in-law. Guo Guiyao supports them by bringing firewood and millet.
One night, Guo Guiyao tells Susu he wants to marry her as soon as possible. Lacking the money for a proper betrothal, he decides to take on another risky job to earn it. Though worried for his safety, Susu tearfully agrees and sends him off, urging him to return soon. Not long after, Susu begins feeling nauseous and realizes she is pregnant. She confides in Ning Xiuxiu, who is happy that she and Guo Guiyao have found true love.
Life continues in the village. Big Foot Feng teaches Ning Keyu and the others how to farm. Keyu, spoiled since childhood, complains about the hard work, but Xiuxiu convinces him that he needs to learn these skills to be able to support a family one day.
The episode ends in tragedy. When Japanese soldiers come to inspect the fields, they find that wheat shoots have been pulled up. They search the village and find Sha Tiao holding a bundle of the shoots. They kill him on the spot with a bayonet. When Tie Tou's mother tries to intervene, she is kicked to the ground. By the time Big Foot Feng, Ning Xiuxiu, and the others arrive, Sha Tiao is already dead.
