Episode Summary
Three months after the baby's birth, Sheng Xuezhu focuses on motherhood while Yu Leshan grows attached to Nuan Nuan. Qiao Zhengjun is released from custody and gets a new job, but his world shatters when he learns Qu Fangfei died in childbirth. His mother forbids him from claiming his daughter. Zhengjun starts his new job alongside the infatuated Liu Tianyao, leading to a disastrous confrontation with Yu Leshan's mother. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao offers Xuezhu a nursing job, but she refuses to leave Nuan Nuan.
Spoiler Alert
The Baby and the Poet
Three Months Later
We jump forward three months. The baby, Nuan Nuan, is doing great. Sheng Xuezhu is so proud she even hires a photographer for a 100-day photoshoot. Yu Leshan is also completely smitten. He buys formula and fusses over the baby. When Nuan Nuan smiles for the first time, he runs to get Xuezhu. He wants her to see it. It's a sweet moment. You can see he really cares about this kid.
Back at the camp, Zhang Yuying finds a newspaper. It has a poem in it from Wang Xiao. The poem is clearly for Sheng Xuezhu. Yuying tells her she should write him back. But Xuezhu isn't interested in romance right now. She says her only focus is raising Nuan Nuan. Yuying thinks she should go back to the city and get her old life back. Xuezhu says she'll wait until the baby is a little older. Yuying is also pretty annoyed that Yu Leshan's family has shown zero interest in their supposed grandchild. Xuezhu just has to live with it.
Qiao Zhengjun's Messy Return
A Free Man with Strings Attached
Good news for Qiao Zhengjun. He's officially cleared of all charges and released from custody. His mother, Zhao Xianzhi, is there to pick him up. It's a very emotional reunion. She tells him she pulled a lot of strings. She got him a transfer back to the city. She also arranged a new job for him.
Later, at home, she cooks all his favorite foods. She reveals how she got him out. She called up an old classmate, Liu Dasheng. He's a man with some influence. He was the one who cleared Zhengjun's name. Now, Liu Dasheng has invited them over for dinner tomorrow as a gesture.
The Truth Comes Out
Zhengjun finally tells his mother about Qu Fangfei. He says he's in a relationship with her. He wants to marry her. He asks his mom to help get Fangfei a permit to move to the city. His mom is not happy. She says she used up all her favors getting him out of trouble. She tells him to just bring Fangfei over to the house so they can meet.
The Worst Phone Call Imaginable
After visiting the Liu family, Zhengjun finds a phone. He wants to call Qu Fangfei. He finally gets someone from the youth camp on the line. They tell him Qu Fangfei is dead. He thinks it's a sick joke. He doesn't believe it.
So he calls the maternity hospital directly. A nurse confirms it. Qu Fangfei died from heavy bleeding after giving birth. Zhengjun just completely falls apart.
He stumbles home and tells his mother the truth. He has a daughter. He is sure the baby is his. He says he has to go get her. His mother shuts that down immediately. She tells him bringing the baby home would destroy their family's reputation. He would lose the new job she worked so hard to get him. She points out that nobody knew they were a couple. She orders him to just report for his new job and forget the youth camp. He argues, desperate to see his daughter. So his mother delivers the final blow. She threatens to kill herself if he brings that child into her house. He has no choice. He agrees.
New Faces and New Problems
An Awkward First Impression
On the way to the Liu family's house, Zhengjun is on a bus with his mom. He gives up his seat for an elderly man. A young woman on the bus sees his act of kindness. That woman is Liu Tianyao, Liu Dasheng's daughter.
We see her at home complaining to her parents. She hates her job as a salesclerk at the local food and oil shop. She wants her dad to find her a new one. He scolds her for being ungrateful. She storms off to her room.
When Zhengjun and his mom arrive, Tianyao peeks through the door. She recognizes him from the bus. Her dad then announces Zhengjun's new job. He'll be working at the food and oil shop with her. Tianyao is suddenly very happy. She comes out to say hello. Her mother, Shao Jie, sees the spark immediately. She insists Zhengjun and his mom stay for dinner.
A Disastrous First Day
Zhengjun starts his new job. Tianyao is there, trying to be helpful. Then, Yu Leshan's mother comes in to buy soy sauce. Tianyao is incredibly rude to her. She acts bored and even spills the soy sauce. Leshan's mom gets angry and starts yelling at her. Tianyao loses her temper. She grabs a full bottle of soy sauce and smashes it on the floor. The shock and anger are too much for Leshan's mom. She nearly collapses. Zhengjun has to rush her to the hospital. What a first day.
An Offer for Xuezhu
Wang Xiao shows up at the youth camp looking for Sheng Xuezhu. He runs into some other folks and learns the shocking news about Qu Fangfei's death. Zhang Yuying eventually takes him to see Xuezhu, who is happy to see him.
He gets straight to the point. He tells her she should give Nuan Nuan to Yu Leshan's family. He thinks she needs to get on with her life. She refuses. She's committed to raising the baby.
So he plays his final card. His uncle is the director of Heshan Hospital. They need nurses. He can get her a job. A real job, back in her profession. Xuezhu's face lights up. This is her dream. But she looks at the baby. She says she can't leave Nuan Nuan. Wang Xiao pushes her. He tells her not to give up on her future. But she won't change her mind.
