Episode Summary
In this episode, the Shen family officially takes in A-Yuan, defying Manager Feng. They decide on a business model and a name for their new restaurant, Fan Ren Le. In a surprisingly happy scene, Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang mutually agree to break off their engagement. Their bond deepens as they adopt a stray cat together. Finally, Manager Feng publicly threatens the Shens, but Shaoguang cleverly uses his threat against him right before their successful grand opening.
Spoiler Alert
The A-Yuan Problem
A Desperate Plea
The episode kicks off right where we left off. A-Yuan shows up at the new restaurant. Shen Shaoguang feels bad for her. She gives A-Yuan a string of coins. She tells her to take the money and go home to her family.
But A-Yuan has a heartbreaking story. She says she has no family left. There's nowhere for her to go. She begs Shaoguang to let her stay. She promises to do odd jobs. She doesn't even want a salary. Just a place to sleep and some food would be enough. She immediately grabs a broom and starts cleaning to prove her point. Shaoguang is completely stuck. She doesn't know what to do.
A Family Divided
Li Fengxia pulls her daughter aside. She thinks they should keep A-Yuan. It’s just one extra mouth to feed. Plus, they need the help now that the restaurant is starting up. But Shaoguang is terrified of Manager Feng. She knows he won't just let this go.
Shen Jianshe chimes in with some solid dad logic. He says they’ve been enemies with Manager Feng since day one. This changes nothing. They just have to take things as they come.
Shaoguang still isn't sure. She goes to her room to think, but A-Yuan is already gone. Just then, Lin Yan arrives to help out. Shaoguang is too upset to talk. She runs out of the room, and Lin Yan follows her.
Lin Yan Steps Up
A Shoulder to Lean On
Shaoguang finally explains her fear to Lin Yan. She's not a powerful person. She's just a regular citizen. She can't afford to make an enemy of someone like Manager Feng. As she's talking, Lin Yan notices her hand is scraped. He takes out his own handkerchief and gently wraps the wound.
Then he makes a promise. He tells her the Jingzhao Prefecture has room for more people. He can offer her his protection. Shaoguang is incredibly grateful. It starts to rain. She knows A-Yuan is injured and out there alone. She insists on finding her, and Lin Yan agrees to go with her.
A New Beginning
They find A-Yuan and bring her back to the restaurant. A-Yuan tries to give Shaoguang her indenture contract. This is basically a contract that says she's a servant. Shaoguang takes one look at it and rips it to shreds. She tells A-Yuan she is a free person. She will work at the restaurant, and she will be paid a fair wage. A-Yuan doesn't quite understand everything. But she knows Shaoguang is a good person.
The family makes fish balls to welcome A-Yuan. Lin Yan stays for dinner. During the meal, Shaoguang has a brilliant idea for the restaurant. She wants it to be a place for regular people. A place everyone in Yong'an City can afford. The Yunlai Tavern is way too expensive for most folks. The whole family loves the idea. Even Lin Yan thinks it's a unique angle. Shen Shaojie comes up with the perfect name for it. Fan Ren Le, which basically means "Everyday People's Joy."
Meanwhile, Manager Feng is stewing. He's furious that they took A-Yuan. He learns that Shaoguang is supposedly Lin Yan's distant cousin. This just makes him more determined to get his revenge.
Contracts and Cats
The Breakup We've Been Waiting For
The celebratory dinner runs late. Lin Yan misses the city's curfew. Li Fengxia suggests he just sleep on a makeshift bed at the restaurant for the night. This is the chance Lin Yan has been waiting for.
He pulls Shaoguang into the backyard. He awkwardly tries to bring up breaking off their engagement. He's clearly worried he's going to crush her.
He could not be more wrong. Shaoguang is ecstatic! She admits she's been trying to figure out how to do the same thing for ages. She runs inside and immediately writes up a contract to officially end the engagement. Her parents even come out to witness Lin Yan signing it. It's official. They are free.
A Furry New Friend
Later that night, a stray cat wanders into the backyard. Lin Yan can't sleep. He gets up to look around and finds Shaoguang is also awake. They hear the cat meowing and go to the yard together.
Shaoguang finds the cat and holds it. She says she's loved cats since she was a little girl. Lin Yan, in a very smooth move, decides to write up a "cat adoption contract." It's a playful document declaring the cat officially belongs to Shaoguang. She gets so excited that she throws her arms around his neck and hugs him. She pulls back quickly, looking a little embarrassed. After some thought, they decide to name the cat Xiao Ming.
The First Shot Is Fired
A Public Showdown
The next day, a notice goes up in public. The Yunlai Tavern is being punished for illegal construction. The townspeople are all praising Lin Yan for his courage. The Shen family is leading the cheers.
Manager Feng is livid. He shows up and confronts them. He yells that their little restaurant won't be open for long.
But Shaoguang is quick. She speaks to the crowd of neighbors. She asks them all to be witnesses. If anything bad happens to their restaurant, everyone will know who did it. Manager Feng is outplayed at every turn. He storms off in a rage.
The episode ends on a high note. Fan Ren Le opens its doors. The entire Juxian Alley shows up to support them. The restaurant's design is unique and fresh. It looks like a huge success.
