Episode Summary
Survivors of the labor camp return home to uncertain welcomes. Lao Shandong reconnects with his family but faces silence from his son, Tie Liang. Gao Yunhu and Wan Fuqing find work at a tavern, but their friendship fractures as one is accused of growing soft. Tang Deyuan is taken in by his uncle, who he blames for not helping their comrades. The Japanese occupation of Songlin Town intensifies, creating a tense atmosphere of suspicion and danger for everyone.
Spoiler Alert
A Rough Road Home
Lao Shandong finally makes it back. He trekked through a frozen wasteland of mountains and forests. He was starving and constantly looking over his shoulder for Japanese soldiers. When he stumbles through his own door, he's completely wiped out. His wife gets food ready, but he's already passed out from exhaustion.
She pulls off his shoes and sees his feet. They're a mess of frostbite and blood. She’s heartbroken. His son, Tie Liang, just stares. He doesn't seem to recognize the worn-out man in front of him as his father.
A Son's Silence
After some sleep, Lao Shandong wakes up and waits for his son to get back from chopping wood. His wife makes them both noodles. Lao Shandong is just waiting, hoping to hear his son call him "dad." Tie Liang’s sister even tries to nudge him. But the boy stays silent and just eats his food. You can see the disappointment hit Lao Shandong hard.
Later, Lao Shandong gets to work. He carves a prosthetic leg out of wood for Tie Liang. When it's done, Tie Liang tries it on. He tosses his crutch aside and takes a few steps. Soon, he's practically running. For the first time in a while, Lao Shandong and his wife have a reason to smile.
New Jobs, Old Suspicions
Other survivors are also finding their way. Tian Xiaogui gets home and collapses, then wakes up and eats everything in sight. His father can tell he’s been through hell.
At the local tavern, the owner Da Kuo Zhi goes to see Pang Sihai. She brings him a nice bottle of wine, so you know she wants something. She asks to hire Gao Yunhu and Wan Fuqing as waiters. Pang Sihai is immediately suspicious. He worries they're part of the resistance. Da Kuo Zhi vouches for them, so he doesn't say no.
Brothers at Odds
Meanwhile, Wan Fuqing and Gao Yunhu are planning their next move. They agree to head for Bakesong to meet up with other survivors. They find the rendezvous point, a huge pine tree, and see the marks left by Lao Shandong, Tian Xiaogui, and Hua'er. It's a relief to know others made it out alive. They carve their own marks into the tree.
Back in Songlin Town, things are tense. The Japanese are terrorizing the locals, who are too scared to leave their homes. Da Kuo Zhi's tavern is empty. Then, a strange customer shows up. He claims to be from Yuanbao Town and starts loudly complaining about how cruel the Japanese are. Da Kuo Zhi is smart. She knows it’s been raining for days in Yuanbao Town, but this guy’s shoes are clean. She tells him to talk to the police. Pang Sihai shows up and quietly leads the man away.
The tension isn't just with the Japanese. Wan Fuqing notices something going on between Gao Yunhu and Da Kuo Zhi. He accuses Gao Yunhu of getting soft and forgetting their mission. This sparks a huge fight. They start brawling in the snow. Wan Fuqing feels like his friend has changed. Gao Yunhu can't find the words to defend himself. To make matters worse, the Japanese have set up checkpoints all over town.
Unsettled Scores
Tang Deyuan also makes it home. The first thing he does is visit his brother's grave. His brother, Tang Dewang, saved his life. His father then takes him to his uncle, Xiao Tielin, and asks him to take Tang Deyuan in.
This does not go over well. Tang Deyuan is furious with his uncle for not helping the men in the labor camp. He yells at him, and Xiao Tielin is clearly offended. He refuses to house Tang Deyuan at first. But his father begs, and Xiao Tielin eventually gives in. It's an uneasy truce. Tang Deyuan is haunted by the past, having nightmares that Wan Fuqing was killed by the Japanese.
