Episode Summary
Qu Fangfei, pregnant with Qiao Zhengjun's child, enters a fake marriage with Yu Leshan to protect Qiao Zhengjun's reputation. Sheng Xuezhu discovers the marriage and, though confused, eventually supports her friend. Just as Qiao Zhengjun's release seems imminent, Fangfei gives birth to a baby girl but dies from complications. Devastated, Xuezhu steps in to raise the child, naming her Nuannuan, while Yu Leshan is tormented by the secret of the baby's true father.
Spoiler Alert
A Fake Marriage and a Real Secret
This episode kicks off with some serious family drama. Sheng Xuezhu's godmother has died. This leaves her sister, Sheng Bailing, all alone. So Xuezhu takes Bailing to live with their father, Sheng Bijie. After a sad goodbye at the station, Xuezhu heads back to her studies.
Yu Leshan's Shocking Proposal
Qu Fangfei is pregnant. The baby belongs to Qiao Zhengjun. Her friends think she should not keep it. But Fangfei is determined. The problem is Qiao Zhengjun is locked up under investigation. She doesn't want to make things worse for him.
Then Yu Leshan steps in with a wild plan. He offers to marry Fangfei. It will be a fake marriage. He says they can divorce right after the baby is born. Fangfei is floored and incredibly grateful. All the other educated youth pitch in. They help set up a room for the "newlyweds."
Sheng Xuezhu Finds Out the Hard Way
Sheng Xuezhu tries to visit Qiao Zhengjun. She learns he's under investigation and has been moved. No one will tell her where he is. She goes back to her friends for news. That's when she hears it. Qu Fangfei married Yu Leshan.
Xuezhu marches right over to confront them. She finds Fangfei sick from her pregnancy. Yu Leshan is taking care of her. Xuezhu immediately assumes the worst. She thinks Leshan forced Fangfei into this and starts yelling at him. He pulls out the marriage certificate. She still doesn't buy it.
Fangfei has to send Leshan out of the room. She tells Xuezhu that she married him willingly. Xuezhu just can't wrap her head around it. But Fangfei is clearly pregnant. The stress of the argument makes Fangfei double over in pain. Xuezhu and Leshan have to rush her to the hospital.
The Truth Stays Buried
At the hospital, the doctor says Fangfei and the baby are okay. They got there just in time. Xuezhu is still completely lost. She doesn't understand why Fangfei would ever choose Leshan. Fangfei can't bring herself to explain the real reason. She just asks Xuezhu to help her raise the child. Xuezhu sees how serious she is and agrees.
A Painful Conversation
Later, Leshan brings Fangfei home. He thinks she should just tell Xuezhu the truth. Fangfei refuses. She knows Xuezhu also has feelings for Qiao Zhengjun. She can't tell her that the baby is his. Leshan finally gets it. The secret is about protecting Xuezhu's feelings, too. Fangfei tells Leshan he is free to leave her if he finds someone else. He swears he will never abandon her.
Time Passes, Hope Fades
Life moves on. Xuezhu visits Fangfei all the time. She keeps writing letters to Qiao Zhengjun. None of them are ever answered. Still, she won't give up hope.
Watching this is torture for Fangfei. She feels so guilty. One day, she decides to finally confess everything to Xuezhu. She is just about to say the baby is Qiao Zhengjun's. Then Leshan walks in at the worst possible moment. He interrupts them. Fangfei quickly changes the subject. She asks Xuezhu to help pick a name for the baby instead.
A Birth and a Death
Some good news finally arrives. Liu Dashan is officially cleared of all charges. He immediately uses his new position to help Qiao Zhengjun. He asks a city official to get him released. It looks like things might finally get better.
Tragedy in the Delivery Room
Then Fangfei goes into labor. It happens suddenly. Luckily, Xuezhu is there. She and Leshan get Fangfei to the hospital. The doctors do everything they can. Fangfei gives birth to a healthy baby girl. But she lost too much blood. She dies on the delivery table.
Everyone is in shock. Leshan is completely numb. Xuezhu cannot accept what happened. She is absolutely heartbroken.
Picking Up the Pieces
Leshan takes the baby home alone. The newborn is crying constantly from hunger. He has no idea what to do. He just sits on the floor and sobs. His friends arrive to help. They feed the baby some rice soup. They tell him to be strong for his daughter. Leshan is tormented. He doesn't want to raise another man's child. But he can't tell anyone the truth.
Sheng Xuezhu makes a decision. She requests a transfer and moves into Fangfei's old room to take care of the baby. She tells Leshan to find milk powder. She asks her friends to find a new mother in the village who can share some milk.
Xuezhu holds her tiny niece and cries for her lost friend. She names the baby Nuannuan. The name means "warmth." She wants the girl to grow up and remember all the people who showed them kindness.
