Episode Summary
Xia Yuan wins the election for Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Association, humiliating his rival Tian Tongdao. Xia Chu proposes to Chu Shaohua, and she accepts, finally telling him the full story of her past trauma. Their engagement is met with fierce opposition from Xia Chu's mother, who believes Shaohua is unworthy of her son. Xia Yuan is also torn, weighing the business risks against his brother's happiness. Chu Shaohua confronts her future mother-in-law directly and also gains an unexpected ally in Cheng Hui, who warns Xia Chu to treat her well.
Spoiler Alert
Xia Yuan Plays Politics
The Election Heats Up
So, the election for the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Association is finally here. Tian Tongdao has been working overtime to lock this thing down. He organized strikes after the May 30th Incident and made a big show of donating money. His family has deep roots in Shanghai, so he's got a lot of powerful people in his corner.
But Xia Yuan isn't just sitting back. He made a power move by donating half a million boxes of epidemic prevention powder for free. That single act shot his support among the members up to fifty percent. Going into the election, Chu Shaohua is nervous. Xia Yuan, though, is completely confident.
A Last-Minute Accusation
On election day, Tian Tongdao is already there, glad-handing everyone. He acts like he's already won. Then Xia Yuan shows up with Xu Hongnian and Mei Sandu. They start handing out newspapers to all the association members. On the front page is a photo of Xia Yuan with the young marshal, Zhang Xueliang.
Tian Tongdao sees this and loses it. He rushes over and accuses Xia Yuan of trying to bribe voters with the papers. He's convinced there's something hidden inside them. He snatches the newspapers from the members and tears through them, looking for anything suspicious. He finds nothing. He just ends up looking foolish and has to back off.
When the votes are counted, it's not even close. Xia Yuan wins by a landslide and becomes the new chairman. Tian Tongdao gets so angry he kicks over a giant sign and storms out of the building.
A Proposal and a Painful Past
A Quiet Reunion
Chu Shaohua and Xia Chu are finally back together. After everything they've been through, their bond is stronger than ever. He's incredibly busy, so they barely see each other. Chu Shaohua doesn't mind. She knows their connection is what matters.
Late one night, Xia Chu stands below her window and whistles. She comes down, and they just hold each other. It's a heavy moment. They were supposed to go to France together, but he went alone after being told she had died.The memory makes Chu Shaohua think of her daughter, Xuanxuan, who was murdered.Xia Chu does his best to comfort her.
Then, he gets down on one knee. He proposes to Chu Shaohua, promising they will never be separated again. She tearfully accepts. She finally tells him the full story of what happened to her six years ago. He never knew the details, and hearing it all leaves him shaken.
The Family Pushback
An Unwelcome Announcement
There's a big political shift when Sun Chuanfang's army defeats the Fengtian Army and takes Shanghai. This is bad news for Xia Yuan, who had backed the losing side. Xia Chu tells his brother to stop betting on armies and start betting on the people.
Then, Xia Chu drops the big news on his family. He's marrying Chu Shaohua. His mother immediately rejects the idea. She says Chu Shaohua's past is a mess. Xia Yuan's wife adds that Wen Zhiqiu has a thing for Shaohua, which just complicates things. Xia Chu stands firm. He says he will marry Chu Shaohua and no one else. His mother gets so angry she slaps him across the face.
Brothers at Odds
Xia Yuan also tells Xia Chu he's against the marriage. He wants him to think about their mother's feelings. Xia Chu doesn't budge and asks his brother to help win their mother over. Xia Yuan sees an opportunity. He says he'll think about it if Xia Chu agrees to come back and help run the family pharmacy. Xia Chu refuses, saying he'll think about it after the revolution is won.
Privately, Xia Yuan actually admires Chu Shaohua's business sense. He knows she would be a huge asset to the company. The problem is Wen Zhiqiu. Marrying Shaohua could cause Wen Zhiqiu to cancel his business partnership with them. Xia Yuan decides he needs a strategy to calm Wen Zhiqiu down while his wife works on their mother.
A Mother's Fury
Mother Xia calls Chu Shaohua for a meeting. She gets straight to the point. She is against the marriage. Chu Shaohua says she is committed to Xia Chu, and she knows he won't give up on her. Mother Xia says Shaohua isn't good enough for her son, listing his prominent family and education. She brings up the fact that Shaohua was married before and had a child. Shaohua fires back that you can't measure love with those things. She then reminds her that Mother Xia was also a widow before she married into the family.
This makes Mother Xia furious. Chu Shaohua quickly changes her tone. She praises the older woman, calling her remarkable for how she built up the family despite her own "unsuitable" background. Shaohua points out that even now, the extended family clan doesn't fully accept her. She asks for the same chance to prove herself. Mother Xia isn't buying it. But Xia Yuan's wife, who is also there, is moved by Shaohua's words and takes her side.
Later, Mother Xia storms over to Xia Yuan's house. She forbids him from doing any more business with Chu Shaohua. Xia Yuan tries to reason with her, arguing that the marriage might finally get Xia Chu to settle down. She refuses to listen and leaves in a rage.
New Alliances
An Unexpected Protector
Xia Chu finds out his mother confronted Shaohua and goes to apologize. Shaohua is understanding. She knows his mother means well. He promises he'll handle it.
Later, Chu Shaohua takes Xia Chu to meet Cheng Hui. When Cheng Hui learns they are getting married, he starts grilling Xia Chu about his income and family status. Then he sends Shaohua out to buy some roasted sweet potatoes so they can talk alone.
Cheng Hui tells Xia Chu flat out that he isn't good enough for Shaohua. But, since she has made her choice, he gives Xia Chu a warning. If he ever mistreats her, Cheng Hui will personally come after him. Xia Chu swears he will make her happy and never leave her side. When Shaohua gets back, Cheng Hui shows her his report card. His grades are excellent, except for English. Xia Chu immediately starts giving him an English lesson right there.
