Episode Summary
In this episode, Tingting and Lao Yang's financial world collapses, forcing them to consider selling their assets and delaying Shiwu's plans. The scammed mothers confront Gao Yuxuan's mom, leading to threats of legal action. As friendships strain, Tang Xiaowei gets caught in the middle, while the kids try to remain united despite their parents' conflict.
Spoiler Alert
Tingting and Lao Yang Hit Rock Bottom
The financial hits just keep coming. Tingting finally realizes her investment was a complete scam. All that money is just gone. To make things worse, she also finds out Lao Yang’s company is in serious trouble. The whole family is facing a financial crisis from two different directions.
A Desperate Plan
Tingting calls her parents for support. They can tell something is wrong without her even saying it. They immediately offer to send her their life savings. This just makes Tingting feel even more useless. She starts thinking about drastic solutions. Her first idea is to sell their house.
Lao Yang shuts that down immediately. He refuses to let her sell their home. But Tingting is in full-on crisis mode. She just wants to fix the problem now. She can’t think about anything else.
Shiwu Makes a Choice
Tingting comes up with a new, multi-step plan. First, she’ll sell her shop. That money will be just enough to cover Shiwu’s tuition to study abroad. Second, the money from her parents will cover the family’s living expenses for a year. Third, the money from selling the house will go to Lao Yang to save his company. Lao Yang is stunned by her commitment.
But when Tingting gives the bank card to Shiwu, he refuses it. He wants to stay home. He thinks he should help the family get through this difficult time. Tingting has to talk him out of it. She reminds him how stubborn his father is. If Shiwu gives up his dream because of this, Lao Yang will blame himself for the rest of his life.
The Moms Go to War
The group of scammed mothers finally meets with Gao Yuxuan's mom. It does not go well.
The First Meeting Fails
Gao Yuxuan's mom tries to explain her side. She is also a victim in all of this. Her husband, Lao Gao, is so worried about their son getting bullied that he won't let him go to school. He is also trying to divorce her. She can't go home, and her own parents are just blaming her for the mess. She’s been forced to live in a hotel.
Xiao Jiarui's mom has zero sympathy. She is aggressive and demanding. She believes Gao Yuxuan's mom is responsible and must pay everyone back. They just yell at her. The conversation goes nowhere because Gao Yuxuan's mom doesn't have the money. The funds never even went to her. Finally, Xiao Jiarui's mom decides to get a lawyer.
Lawyers Get Involved
Dai Jing pulls Tang Xiaowei aside. She suggests trying to calm the other moms down. She points out that a civil lawsuit will take forever. It will also cost them money for a lawyer upfront. A peaceful solution would be much better for everyone.
Tang Xiaowei agrees with the advice. She really tries to stop the others from lawyering up. But they won't listen. They eventually pressure her into agreeing with them. Tang Xiaowei is in a bad spot herself. Her shop owes money to suppliers, and she can't even scrape together 20,000 yuan. She tried to use the shop’s funds, but Tingting had already used them to deal with Lao Yang's crisis. Tang Xiaowei tells Dai Jing about Lao Yang's problems. Dai Jing knows she has to tell Liu Xiangshang. He and Lao Yang are close friends, and Lao Yang hasn't said a word.
Friends and Enemies
The fallout from the scam starts to separate the real friends from the rest.
A Friend Steps Up
Liu Xiangshang immediately goes to find Lao Yang. Lao Yang tries to act tough. He insists he can get back on his feet. Then he asks Liu Xiangshang for a favor. He needs help finding a suitable apartment to rent in their neighborhood. It looks like they're losing the house after all.
The Legal Battle Lines are Drawn
Tang Xiaowei and Gao Feihu’s mom take Dai Jing’s advice. They consult a lawyer on their own, without the other moms. The lawyer confirms their fears. The case could drag on for two or three years, and they'd have to pay fees along the way. Gao Feihu's mom decides it's not worth it. She figures she could earn the money back in that amount of time.
So, Tang Xiaowei arranges another meeting with Gao Yuxuan's mom. This time, her attitude is completely different. After another angry rant from Xiao Jiarui's mom, Gao Yuxuan's mom just shuts down. She says she's done talking. She tells them to go ahead with the lawsuit. Her own lawyer told her that, legally, this has nothing to do with her.
The Kids Are Alright (Mostly)
Gao Yuxuan finally goes back to school. He is terrified he’ll be bullied. Xu Mengyao is pretty cold to him, which doesn't help. But the boys surprise him. Ma Ziheng offers to help him catch up on his schoolwork. Gao Feihu acts like nothing has changed between them. Liu Guobao and Ma Ziheng even try to talk to Xu Mengyao. They tell her not to let their parents' problems ruin their friendship.
