Episode Summary
In this episode, Yu Leshan's fabric business begins, while Qiao Zhengjun resigns himself to a loveless future. Wang Xiao and Qiao become unlikely roommates at college. Sheng Bijie is reinstated and marries Bai Yufei, which leads to a violent family confrontation when Sheng Xuezhu finds out. The fight ends with Bai Yufei getting hit by a truck, leaving her career in jeopardy.
Spoiler Alert
A New Business and an Old Flame
Yu Leshan's Fabric Hustle
Yu Leshan came back from his trip down south. He got a big idea. He wants to go back, buy fabric, and resell it up north. His childhood friend, Guo Hongqi, wants in on the action. Guo needs the cash to finally marry his girlfriend, Zhang Yadan. She is completely on board with the plan.
So, Yu Leshan heads to Zhejiang again. He finds a merchant named Chen Shixiang. He buys a huge amount of fabric from him to get the business started.
Qiao Zhengjun Settles for Second Best
While some people are making moves, others are stuck. Liu Tianyao is still chasing Qiao Zhengjun hard. Her parents, Liu Desheng and Shao Jie, absolutely love the guy. They think he's perfect for their daughter.
Zhao Xianzhi knows Qiao isn't interested in Liu Tianyao. But he doesn't want to be rude to her parents. Qiao Zhengjun himself is still completely hung up on Qu Fangfei. He feels like he can't love anyone else. He basically decides that if Liu Tianyao keeps pushing for marriage, he'll just give in. He'll just go through the motions and live with her. It's a pretty bleak outlook.
Off to College
Goodbyes and New Beginnings
We jump forward to 1978. It's time for Wang Xiao to leave for university in Zhongzhou. Sheng Xuezhu goes to the train station to see him off. He tells her to keep studying and try for the college exam again next year. They promise to see each other on campus then.
Sheng Xuezhu makes a huge decision. She's going to officially adopt Nuannuan. She also doesn't want to quit her job. She goes to her director with a plan. She asks to work only the night shift. That way, she can earn a little more money. She can also take care of Nuannuan during the day and have time to study. Her director feels for her and agrees to the arrangement.
The World's Most Awkward Roommate
Wang Xiao gets to university and checks in. He finds out his new roommate is Qiao Zhengjun. They are also in the same class. Wang Xiao is not happy about this. He feels Qiao completely betrayed Sheng Xuezhu's feelings. He gives Qiao the cold shoulder.
Back home, the fabric business is taking off. Zhang Yadan and Guo Hongqi start selling the stuff Yu Leshan brought back. They have silk scarves and wallets, too. People love it. The scarves and wallets sell out almost immediately.
Clearing the Air
Wang Xiao starts writing letters to Sheng Xuezhu all the time. He tells her everything about college life. This just makes her want to get there even more. She studies every chance she gets.
Qiao Zhengjun finally decides to talk to Wang Xiao. He wants to explain what happened. He tells Wang Xiao that Sheng Xuezhu did confess her feelings to him. But he turned her down. Qiao makes it very clear he never tried to get between Wang Xiao and Sheng Xuezhu. This makes Wang Xiao feel a little better. Then Qiao pulls out some money. He wants Wang Xiao to give it to Sheng Xuezhu. Wang Xiao flat-out refuses.
Everyone Returns to Liangchuan
A New Stepmother
Big things are happening for the Sheng family. Bai Yufei finally won over Sheng Bailing. The younger sister now accepts her as a stepmother. With that sorted, Sheng Bijie and Bai Yufei go get their marriage certificate.
Then they get more good news. The government officially clears Sheng Bijie's name. He gets his old job back. He packs up his things to move back to Liangchuan with Bai Yufei and Sheng Bailing. Bai Yufei thinks they should hide the marriage from Sheng Xuezhu at first. Sheng Bijie says no.
On the train, they happen to run into Yu Leshan. He's hauling his big bags of fabric. Sheng Bijie is getting some water when Yu Leshan walks by. A bag opens and fabric almost spills out. Sheng Bijie helps him pick it up. He immediately suspects Yu Leshan is a black market dealer. Yu Leshan has to show him an official letter to prove his business is legitimate.
The First Case
Sheng Bijie is officially reinstated as the Chief of the Public Security Bureau. He gets to work right away. His very first case involves a guy named Shanzi. This man is accused of monopolizing the fabric coupon market in Liangchuan. Sheng Bijie sends his officers to investigate.
This puts Yu Leshan in a tricky spot. Selling goods on the street is legal in the south. But it's still forbidden in Liangchuan. He has to do all his business in secret. Someone hears about him and comes looking to trade fabric coupons for cash. Yu Leshan sends the man to Guo Hongqi. Yu Leying happens to be there getting her bike fixed. She sees the whole exchange.
The Inevitable Family Showdown
The News Breaks
Sheng Xuezhu brings Nuannuan to Liangchuan for a visit with her father. Sheng Bailing meets them at the station. She immediately tells Sheng Xuezhu that their father married Bai Yufei.
Sheng Xuezhu explodes. She blames Bai Yufei for her mother's death. Sheng Bailing tries to defend their new stepmother. She says Bai Yufei is a good person. Sheng Xuezhu doesn't listen to a word of it. She grabs Nuannuan and storms home to confront Bai Yufei.
All-Out War at Home
Bai Yufei is waiting nervously outside the house. She knows this is coming. Sheng Bijie tries to calm her down, but she's too anxious to speak.
Sheng Xuezhu arrives and immediately starts yelling at Bai Yufei. Sheng Bijie jumps in to defend his wife. He says Bai Yufei was forced into her past actions. Sheng Xuezhu refuses to forgive her. Bai Yufei gives a deep, apologetic bow. Sheng Xuezhu just tells her to get out. Sheng Bailing speaks up for Bai Yufei, but it does no good.
Sheng Xuezhu then slaps Bai Yufei across the face.
In response, Sheng Bijie slaps Sheng Xuezhu. He then runs after Bai Yufei, who fled the house. Sheng Xuezhu is left standing there, seething.
A Tragic Accident
A crying Bai Yufei runs right into the street. She is hit by a large truck. Sheng Bijie gets her to the hospital. The doctors manage to save her life. But they tell her the damage is severe. She will probably never be able to perform opera again. Bai Yufei is completely destroyed by the news.
Nowhere to Go
That night, Sheng Xuezhu takes Nuannuan to her godmother's house. She gets another shock. She finds out the government gave her godmother's house to the neighbor, Grandma Shi. Sheng Xuezhu is stunned. She and the baby have nowhere to go.
Back at the hospital, Bai Yufei is already worrying about Sheng Xuezhu. She asks Sheng Bijie to go find them and make sure they are okay.
