Episode Summary
Qiao Zhengjun manipulates reporter Wang Xiao into writing a slanderous article about Yu Leshan, which causes immediate financial ruin for the Qiaotou Hardware Factory. As clients cancel contracts and chaos erupts, Zhang Yadan suffers a miscarriage after a fight with Guo Hongqi. Despite the turmoil and an attempt by an agitator to turn them against him, Yu Leshan's workers declare their loyalty. The episode concludes with Sheng Xuezhu helping Yu Leshan write a rebuttal to tell his side of the story.
Spoiler Alert
The Hit Job Begins
Qiao Zhengjun's Failed Smear Campaign
So, Qiao Zhengjun is still obsessed with taking down Yu Leshan. He sends his lackey, Xiao Shude, to dig up some dirt. The problem is, there isn't any. Yu Leshan is actually good at his job. The Qiaotou Hardware Factory is doing great. The workers respect him. They’re making money and they're happy.
Xiao Shude comes back with nothing. He digs and digs but can't find any real evidence of wrongdoing. The best he can offer is a weak rumor. He tells Qiao Zhengjun that Yu Leshan and Sheng Xuezhu seem a little too close. That’s it. Qiao Zhengjun is obviously not impressed with this weak sauce.
Wang Xiao Gets Played
This is where things get messy. Qiao Zhengjun decides to handle things himself. He goes straight to the editor of the "Liangchuan Daily" newspaper. He brings in Wang Xiao, the reporter, to listen. You remember Wang Xiao. He's the guy with the huge crush on Sheng Xuezhu.
Qiao Zhengjun lays out a completely fabricated story. He claims he started the factory to boost his political career. Then he says Yu Leshan swooped in and ruined it. He accuses Yu Leshan of creating a wealth gap in the community. Then he delivers the final blow. He tells Wang Xiao that Yu Leshan is just trying to get rich so he can marry Sheng Xuezhu.
This, of course, hits Wang Xiao right where it hurts. The editor sides with Qiao Zhengjun. He tells a furious Wang Xiao to write the story. And he wants it done overnight.
Personal Lives Implode
A Tragic Loss
While all this political drama is happening, things get heavy at home. Zhang Yadan finds a stash of money Guo Hongqi was hiding. She confronts him about it. He admits he won it playing mahjong. This leads to a massive fight between them.
The argument gets incredibly intense. Zhang Yadan gets so worked up from the stress that she suffers a miscarriage. Yu Leshan and a frantic Guo Hongqi rush her to the hospital. But it's too late. They lose the baby. Guo Hongqi is completely wrecked with guilt. He apologizes over and over, but Zhang Yadan is just lost in her grief.
An Awkward Love Triangle
Wang Xiao isn't just writing hit pieces. He also stops by to see Sheng Xuezhu. He brings her some of her favorite pies from the cafeteria. She apologizes to him for the whole situation. Wang Xiao tells her he doesn't want to lose her as a friend. He says he can accept any outcome, as long as she is happy. It's a very noble, very "friend-zoned" speech.
Just as this is happening, Yu Leshan shows up. He was finally going to confess his feelings to Sheng Xuezhu. But he sees her walking Wang Xiao out. He loses his nerve and just leaves without saying a word.
The Article Drops
The Fallout is Immediate
Wang Xiao’s article gets published. The headline is something like "Beware of Selfishness." It directly attacks Yu Leshan and Xie Jingsi. Liu Dasheng sees it and is furious.
The damage is instant. Yu Leshan goes to sign a new contract with a client. The client, Mr. Wang, tells him the deal is off. His company's leadership saw the article. They refuse to do business with the Qiaotou factory anymore. He hands Yu Leshan the newspaper. Yu Leshan just stares at it, completely stunned.
Chaos at the Factory
The article sends shockwaves through the whole operation. Clients start calling to cancel their orders. They want to break their contracts. The factory is in crisis.
Back at the other factory, Hou Ming sees his chance. He starts stirring up trouble with the workers. He uses the article to turn everyone against Xie Jingsi. The factory manager gets scared of the bad press. He caves to the pressure and demotes Xie Jingsi to a manual labor job in the workshop. To make matters worse, Xie Jingsi's wife, Cui Xiujuan, decides she's had enough. She tells him she wants a divorce so she isn't dragged down with him. He agrees and even offers her 500 yuan to finalize it.
Loyalty in the Face of Crisis
The Workers Stand with Yu Leshan
Yu Leshan feels responsible for all the trouble. He decides to resign to protect the Qiaotou Brigade. But the brigade's secretary won't let him. He encourages Yu Leshan to stay and fight the rumors.
The factory can't make payroll. This is when Xiao Shude, Qiao Zhengjun's guy, shows up again. He tries to incite the workers and get them to riot against Yu Leshan. It doesn't work.
Yu Leshan faces the workers himself. He promises them he will not withhold their wages. He swears he will do everything in his power to save the factory. He says one article won't break him. In a powerful moment, the workers rally behind him. They tell him they don't even care about the pay. They'll keep working with him no matter what. Yu Leshan is so moved he gives them a deep bow.
Sheng Xuezhu Fights Back
Sheng Xuezhu arrives just in time to see this incredible display of loyalty. She's relieved and impressed. She goes to Yu Leshan with an idea. She tells him he needs to fight back with his own article. He has to tell his side of the story.
Yu Leshan says he's not a good writer. He also worries that no one would publish it for him. Sheng Xuezhu immediately offers to write it for him. He tells her the entire story, from the very beginning. The episode ends with her putting his truth to paper.
