Episode Summary
Guo Guiyao returns and plans to marry the now-pregnant Ning Susu, receiving her father's blessing. However, a furious Fei Zuoshi discovers the pregnancy and confronts Susu, causing her to go into premature labor. After the baby is born, Fei Zuoshi tricks the new parents into a final meal, poisoning them and herself. Ning Xiuxiu discovers the tragic scene and is left to care for her orphaned niece.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 34 of This Thriving Land begins with a grim discovery. Tie Tou and Kela return from gathering firewood to find that Sha Tiao has been killed by Japanese soldiers. Tie Tou, blinded by rage, wants to go after them immediately. But Big Foot Feng holds him back, reminding him that if he kills a soldier, the entire village will suffer the consequences. She swears that they will get their revenge, but it has to be at the right time.
Not long after, good news lifts their spirits. The resistance, led by the Communist Party, has successfully disrupted the enemy's supply lines, dealing them a heavy blow. Life moves on, but after two months, there's still no word from Guo Guiyao. Ning Susu, who is secretly carrying his child, is worried sick. To keep Fei Zuoshi from finding out, she wraps her belly tightly.
Then, out of nowhere, Guo Guiyao returns. He ran through a storm of bullets to get back to Ning Susu, and he vows to never leave her side again. He's shocked but ecstatic to learn he's going to be a father. He admits he failed to earn any money and nearly lost his life, but Ning Susu doesn't care. All she wants is to be with him. Guo Guiyao decides he's not waiting another moment and will ask her father for her hand the next day.
Everyone is thrilled. Big Foot Feng, Ning Xiuxiu, and the kids help Guo Guiyao fix up his house for the wedding. When Guo Guiyao goes to formally ask for Ning Susu's hand, her father, Ning Xuexiang, playfully pretends to object, even though it's what he's been hoping for. He teases Guo Guiyao, questioning if he can provide for Susu. Guo Guiyao passionately promises to give her a good life. Instead of asking for money, Ning Xuexiang simply writes down eight characters: "To support a family, farming is the only stable way." With his blessing secured, Guo Guiyao is overjoyed.
The family goes out to plant sorghum, but while they're away, Fei Zuoshi discovers Ning Susu's pregnancy. She's furious, insisting that Susu is her late son's wife. She confronts Susu, trying to force her to get rid of the baby. In the ensuing struggle, Ning Susu falls hard, and the fall sends her into premature labor.
A midwife is called, and Ning Susu gives birth to a healthy baby girl. Guo Guiyao arrives just in time to hold his daughter, crying tears of joy. The sight of their happy little family sends Fei Zuoshi into a silent, cold rage. Ning Xiuxiu sees the murderous look in Fei Zuoshi's eyes and urges Guo Guiyao to get a cart immediately so they can take mother and child home.
As a heavy rain begins to fall, Fei Zuoshi begs them to stay for one last meal, promising she will leave for good afterward. They reluctantly agree. She prepares a few dishes and a large pot of red date porridge. As Ning Susu and Guo Guiyao eat, Ning Xiuxiu waits anxiously at home. When they don't return, she leaves the baby with her mother-in-law and runs back to the Fei house through the downpour.
She arrives too late. Fei Zuoshi had poisoned the food. After watching Ning Susu and Guo Guiyao die, she drank the poison herself. Ning Xiuxiu finds their bodies and tries desperately to carry her sister home, but she can't move her. All she can do is scream for help into the rainy night.
In the aftermath, Ning Xiuxiu is broken. She won't eat or sleep, just sits holding her sister's baby. Her mother-in-law, Big Foot Feng, comforts her and buys a goat to make sure the little girl has milk to drink.
