Episode Summary
Wang Xiao tries to convince Sheng Xuezhu to pursue her career, but Xuezhu chooses to raise Nuan Nuan. Qiao Zhengjun realizes Nuan Nuan is his daughter, but his mother, Zhao Xianzhi, manipulates him into abandoning her. After a failed confrontation with Zhao Xianzhi, Yu Leshan agrees to have Nuan Nuan adopted. He lies to Xuezhu, telling her he will raise the baby himself. The episode ends with Leshan handing Nuan Nuan over to an adoptive couple with strict conditions for her care.
Spoiler Alert
Xuezhu's Big Decision
So, Xuezhu's friend Wang Xiao shows up with some solid advice. She tells Xuezhu to take a job at Heshan Hospital. It's a great opportunity. But Xuezhu isn't having it. She is completely focused on raising baby Nuan Nuan. She also says she's waiting for Qiao Zhengjun to get out of prison.
Wang Xiao lays it all out for her. She says Xuezhu can go be a doctor and save more people. This would also let her provide a much better life for Nuan Nuan. She suggests letting Yu Leshan raise the baby for now. It makes perfect sense. But Xuezhu just won't agree. Her mind is made up.
The Truth Finally Hits Zhengjun
Get ready for this. Qiao Zhengjun finally does the math. He figures out the baby's birth date means Nuan Nuan is his daughter with the late Qu Fangfei. He actually wants to do the right thing. He decides he should bring his daughter home to raise her.
But his mother, Zhao Xianzhi, immediately shuts that down. She lies right to his face. She insists Nuan Nuan is Yu Leshan's baby. Zhengjun doesn't buy it for a second. So, what does his mom do? She starts crying. She uses a massive guilt trip to manipulate him. In the end, Zhengjun caves. He promises not to bring Nuan Nuan home. It's a really tough scene to watch.
Leshan Tries to Do the Right Thing
Leshan is really trying to fix this mess. He gives his factory job opportunity to his sister, which was a nice move. Then he gets back to the main problem.
A Confrontation at Work
Leshan heads to the local shop to find the clerk who upset his mom. But guess who he finds working there instead? Qiao Zhengjun. Leshan doesn't waste any time. He tells Zhengjun to take Nuan Nuan home. Zhengjun is on the clock, so he tells Leshan to come by his house that night to talk. This whole thing leaves Zhengjun completely distracted at work. He's just staring into space, thinking about his daughter.
A Wall of Denial
Zhengjun is a coward. He fakes being sick to leave work. Then he calls his mom and tells her to deal with Leshan while he hides. So Leshan shows up at the Qiao house, but only Zhao Xianzhi is there. Leshan explains the whole situation. He begs her to take Nuan Nuan. He points out that this is the only way for Xuezhu to go back to the city and have a life.
Zhao Xianzhi is just awful. She flatly denies Nuan Nuan is her grandchild. She even accuses Leshan of making it all up to get back at her son. She claims Zhengjun has never even been in a relationship. Then she drops a bomb. She says she's going to have Nuan Nuan given away to a good family. Leshan is furious and storms out. And where was Zhengjun? He was hiding downstairs the whole time, waiting for Leshan to leave.
The Heartbreaking "Solution"
After this disaster, Leshan feels defeated. He goes to Zhao Xianzhi and agrees to her plan to give Nuan Nuan away. She's thrilled, of course. She even gives him 1,000 yuan for his trouble.
Then comes the hardest part. Leshan has to lie to Xuezhu. He tells her that he is taking Nuan Nuan home to raise with his family. Xuezhu believes him completely. She packs up the baby's things and gives Leshan a long list of instructions. She even offers to send half her salary for Nuan Nuan's care. Leshan refuses the money. He just promises to take good care of the baby. The goodbye between Xuezhu and Nuan Nuan is brutal. She holds the baby and just doesn't want to let go.
Nuan Nuan's New Home
The adoption is arranged quickly. Zhao Xianzhi sets it up but doesn't even show her face. The new parents work at a local factory. They promise they'll be good to Nuan Nuan.
But Leshan is smart. He doesn't fully trust them. He makes a deal. He tells them he will pay them ten yuan every month until Nuan Nuan turns eighteen. He also warns them. If they ever mistreat her, he will come back and take her away. The adoptive parents are shocked and happy. They were expecting to pay for the baby. Instead, they're getting paid. Leshan hands over Nuan Nuan, reminding them one last time to send photos.
