Episode Summary
In this episode, the parents face two major conflicts. Ma Yingjie and Tang Xiaowei deal with a disruptive elderly man at the school, which escalates to involve the police before Tang Xiaowei publicly shames him into leaving. Meanwhile, Liu Xiangshang and Dai Jing struggle with extremely loud new neighbors, and their attempts at diplomacy and police intervention only make the neighbors more hostile. Finally, the children decide to solve the school problem themselves by confronting the disruptive man's grandson.
Spoiler Alert
The Grandfather Problem at School
Ma Yingjie Tries and Fails
The episode kicks off with Ma Yingjie doing his part as a parent volunteer at the school gate. He and two other parents run into a problem. An old man, who is the grandfather of a student named Diao Zimo, is a total menace. The grandfather rides his three-wheeler against traffic every day. He barrels through the school zone, ignoring all the rules. He also smokes and spits right at the entrance.
Ma Yingjie tries to reason with him. It does not go well. The old man not only ignores him but actually hits him. When Tang Xiaowei finds out, she is furious. She gets even more annoyed when she sees the parents' group chat. Everyone supports taking action, but nobody wants to be the one to do it.
So, Tang Xiaowei decides she will join the "Protect the Seedlings" volunteer group herself. She plans to go and teach the old man a lesson. But Ma Yingjie worries about her. He thinks if she wins a fight, they'll have to pay for it, and if she loses, he'll feel terrible. He decides not to wake her up the next morning and goes to the school himself. Unsurprisingly, the same thing happens. He is completely unable to get through to the grandfather.
The Old Man Causes More Trouble
The grandfather's reckless behavior continues. He drives his tricycle the wrong way down the road and almost gets hit by Yang Mingbiao's car. Yang Mingbiao gets out to argue with him. A fight is about to start, but luckily Liu Xiangshang sees it and steps in to stop them.
The grandfather isn't done, though. He waits for Yang Mingbiao to park and then deliberately scratches his car. Yang Mingbiao calls the police. They use surveillance footage to identify the grandfather and bring him to the station. He is completely uncooperative. His son eventually shows up. The son is a reasonable person who pays for the damages. We learn that his relationship with his father is strained. He works hard so his father can live in a big city apartment, but the old man shows no gratitude.
Tang Xiaowei Steps Up
Later, Tang Xiaowei finally joins the volunteer group at the school. She sees the grandfather, walks right up to him, and puts out his cigarette. With other kids and parents there to back her up, the old man is outnumbered. He can't argue his way out of it and leaves in embarrassment.
The Neighbors From Hell
A Diplomatic Approach Backfires
Liu Xiangshang's family is dealing with their own issue. New neighbors have moved in upstairs. They are musicians, and they are incredibly loud. The noise makes it impossible for the kids to do their homework. They even make a racket after 10 p.m.
At first, Liu Xiangshang goes upstairs to talk to them. The couple just says they're still moving in and that noise is unavoidable. They don't change their behavior at all. They play a drum kit at night, and their two boys are constantly running and yelling.
Dai Jing wants to call the police. Liu Xiangshang, however, wants to avoid conflict with the neighbors. He decides to buy soundproofing pads. He goes upstairs and offers to put them on their chairs and tables. The couple is not grateful. They act like he's the weird one.
The Police Get Involved
Of course, the noise doesn't stop. Dai Jing has had enough. She records the noise as evidence and calls the police. The police come and give the neighbors a lecture. The neighbors, a couple named Bu Cheng and his wife, think Dai Jing's family is overreacting. After the police leave, the husband gets petty. He makes his two sons put on their mom's high heels and run around the apartment.
Dai Jing goes upstairs to confront them directly. But they are completely shameless and refuse to listen.
The Kids Take Matters Into Their Own Hands
The kids from the different families see that the adults are getting nowhere. Liu Guobao and Ma Zihang decide to handle the school gate problem themselves. They find Diao Zimo, the troublemaker's grandson. They want him to talk to his grandfather about his terrible behavior.
Diao Zimo is shocked. He had no idea his grandfather was acting this way. Liu Guobao and Chu Yi explain to him that what his grandfather is doing is wrong. They give him an ultimatum. If he doesn't convince his grandfather to follow the rules, they won't play with him anymore.
