Episode Summary
Sheng Bijie's heart attack leads to a long-overdue reconciliation with his daughter, Sheng Xuezhu. She reveals the truth about Nuan Nuan's father, while also discovering a deadly water pollution problem near the Qiaotou factory. That same factory suffers a fire due to mismanagement, forcing its manager to resign and leaving Yu Leshan contemplating a new role.
Spoiler Alert
A Hospital Visit Gone Wrong
This episode kicks off with some serious family drama. You knew it was coming. Sheng Bijie has a heart attack while trying to stop a thief. It lands him right in the hospital. Sheng Xuezhu wants to see him. She even gets to the hospital room door. But she just can't bring herself to go inside. Why? Because Bai Yufei is in there. Xuezhu turns around and leaves without a word.
A Father's Confession
Yu Leshan steps in to help. He goes to the hospital to look after Sheng Bijie. Her dad is completely heartbroken. He tells Leshan that Xuezhu hates Bai Yufei. She will only see him again if he divorces his wife. He says he just can't do that.
Xuezhu hasn't gone far, though. She's hiding outside the room. She listens to her dad pour his heart out to Leshan. He talks about his past with Bai Yufei. He describes the hard times they survived together in Yicheng. As he talks, he gets more and more upset. He starts crying and then just faints from the stress. Leshan panics and runs to find a doctor.
Making Amends
This is the moment Xuezhu runs in. She immediately starts working to save her father. Leshan finds an excuse to leave the room. He wants to give them space to finally talk. It works. Sheng Bijie apologizes to his daughter for hitting her. Xuezhu admits she went too far as well. The two of them finally make up. Leshan watches from the hallway and feels a huge sense of relief. He tells Xuezhu to go home and rest. He offers to stay and watch her dad for the night. She thanks him for everything he's done.
Trouble at the Factories
A lot is happening back at the machinery factory. A retired worker named Master Yang is going through a tough time. His son was in a car accident and can no longer work. The entire factory starts collecting donations for him. Yu Leying and her coworkers all chip in. Then Xie Jingsi does something unexpected. He donates his entire month's salary. He only keeps a little bit of money for himself to live on. Yu Leying is genuinely impressed. She immediately donates all the cash she has on her.
A Fire and a Cover-Up
Meanwhile, Qiao Zhengjun is having dinner with Liu Tianyao and her father, Liu Dasheng. Tianyao is pushing her dad to transfer Qiao Zhengjun back to Zhongzhou. But her dad just read a newspaper article. It praised Qiao Zhengjun's work at the Qiaotou Hardware Factory. He tells Qiao Zhengjun to keep up the good work instead.
The dinner gets cut short. A call comes in from the Nanling Commune for Qiao Zhengjun. He has to leave immediately. We learn the hardware factory is on fire. A worker was smoking in the workshop. Injured workers are already at the hospital. Xiao Shude, the manager, suggests they just blame the whole thing on the worker. But Qiao Zhengjun already has another plan in mind.
The Truth Comes Out
Back at the hospital, Bai Yufei stops by. She peeks through the window and sees that Xuezhu and her dad have reconciled. She is so happy she could cry. Leshan quietly suggests she go talk to Xuezhu. But Bai Yufei knows Xuezhu isn't ready for that. She doesn't want to make things difficult, so she just thanks Leshan for his help and leaves.
Xuezhu Tells Her Dad Everything
Xuezhu takes her dad for a walk in the hospital garden. She decides it's time to tell him the truth about Nuan Nuan. She explains who the real father is. Qiao Zhengjun. Her dad is disgusted by what Qiao Zhengjun did. He wants the man to be punished. Xuezhu asks him to keep it a secret. She's worried about how it would hurt Nuan Nuan. Her dad agrees. He then asks about her and Wang Xiao, saying he already has her dowry prepared. She has to explain that they are just good friends.
A Doctor's Grim Discovery
Sheng Xuezhu goes to the Dongfeng Commune to run a free clinic. This is the same area she was sent to years ago. She helps deliver a baby for a woman from the Qiaotou Brigade. The baby is a stillborn. It's a tragedy. Xuezhu learns from the hospital director that this has happened before. The drinking water in Qiaotou is contaminated with heavy metals. There have been several stillbirths in recent years. Xuezhu decides this will be the topic for her graduation thesis. Her professor gives her his full support.
The Fallout
At the hospital, Yu Leshan helps Chen Zhiqiang get the injured factory workers settled. He lets Chen Zhiqiang stay in his dorm for the night.
A Drunken Complaint
Later that night, Chen Zhiqiang and Leshan drink together. Chen Zhiqiang is drunk and angry. He complains that the commune made Xiao Shude the factory manager. The guy knows nothing about production or technology. The factory is a mess. He says the workers haven't been paid in three months. Leshan agrees that the idea for the factory was good. The problem is terrible management. He tells Chen Zhiqiang he wants to go see the factory for himself.
A Manager Resigns
Qiao Zhengjun holds a meeting to discuss the fire. Xiao Shude takes full responsibility. He resigns as factory manager on the spot. Qiao Zhengjun and Secretary Ma tell the village committee they have one week to pick a new one. After the meeting, Chen Zhiqiang takes Leshan on a tour of the hardware factory. Leshan looks at all the equipment. He thinks it's a real shame to see it all going to waste.
An Awkward Birthday
The workers are getting desperate. Xiao Erbao and a group of men confront Xiao Shude. They demand their back pay. Chen Zhiqiang shows up just in time to calm everyone down.
The episode ends on a few quiet notes. It's Sheng Xuezhu's birthday. Bai Yufei has cooked a huge meal for her. Sheng Bailing tells her to stay and celebrate. But Bai Yufei doesn't want to make Xuezhu uncomfortable. She insists on leaving. And finally, Yu Leshan visits his old village to see Uncle Ma Si. The family welcomes him, and Uncle Ma Si tries to convince him to move back and help the village grow.
