Episode Summary
A successful businessman, Ma Qinghao, has a crisis of conscience and abruptly quits his job to return to his rural village. At the same time, his ex-girlfriend, Gun Yueliang, a talented embroidery artist, wins a major award and receives a lucrative job offer. Ma Qinghao reunites with his childhood friends to pitch a new business idea, but his return stirs up old resentments, leading to a tense confrontation and a clear warning to stay away from Gun Yueliang.
Spoiler Alert
A Tale of Two Returns
The City Guy Quits
First, you meet Ma Qinghao. He's a big shot in the city with a successful career. But he's not happy. His grandfather recently passed away. This made him realize something important. He decided that chasing money is a waste of time. People are what really matter.
So, he does something pretty drastic. He walks away from his entire life. He hands his company over to his old friend, Shen Leilei. He doesn't just give him a promotion. He makes him the new general manager on the spot. Before Shen Leilei can even process what's happening, Ma Qinghao is in his car. He hits the gas and heads back to his home village. He leaves his friend standing there completely confused.
The Artist Stays Home
Then you have Gun Yueliang. She is a master of traditional embroidery. She's so good that she's considered a cultural heritage artist. Today is the day of a huge competition for her. But she isn't rushing. She's at home, calmly helping her grandmother, Wu Enyun, sort colorful silk threads.
Her friend, Luo Yingdie, runs in wearing a full traditional outfit. She's clearly stressed and tells Gun Yueliang they need to go. The grandmother agrees. She tells Gun Yueliang it's time to leave. She needs to be a role model for the other young women in the village.
A Classic Near-Miss
Passing Ships in the Day
Ma Qinghao is driving on the winding mountain roads back to his village. He stops on the massive Yachi River Bridge. The view of the Wujiang River is incredible. He gets out of his car, yells at the top of his lungs, and starts filming the scenery on his phone. He's just so happy to be home.
At this exact moment, another car drives past him. Inside that car is Gun Yueliang, on her way to the competition. We learn they used to be a couple. They pass within feet of each other. Neither one has a clue. You just know that's going to be important later.
Old Friends and New Plans
The "Three Weeds" Reunite
The first thing Ma Qinghao does in the village is find his childhood best friend, Wu Aicao. It's a happy reunion after years apart. They sit on a hillside, and Wu Aicao tells him everything that's changed. The village now has paved roads and even a tourist boardwalk.
Hearing this sparks an idea for Ma Qinghao. He wants to open a high-end bed and breakfast. To do it, he needs to get their other childhood friend, Gun Changpu, on board. He jokes that their old trio, the "Wumeng Three Weeds," needs to upgrade to the "Wumeng Three Trees."
A Not-So-Solid Plan
Wu Aicao loves the business idea. He immediately volunteers to join. He even offers to convince Gun Changpu to invest. But then he admits he has no money and he's not the smart one. He's just the muscle. Ma Qinghao doesn't seem to trust him with the pitch. He decides he'll go find Gun Changpu himself.
Big Wins and Lingering Wounds
A Champion's Welcome
We briefly see Gun Changpu. He's with a technical expert named Shen Yuechuan. They're inspecting a field of red tassel sorghum that he's growing. The expert is impressed.
The story then jumps to Gun Yueliang at her competition. She wins the provincial gold medal for her embroidery piece. She's so happy that she gets on stage and sings for everyone. Her performance catches the eye of Chen Hong, the chairman of a company called Shanyun. Chen Hong is blown away by her talent. She offers Gun Yueliang a high-paying job as the company's artistic director. Gun Yueliang doesn't give an answer. Chen Hong says she's patient and that great talent is worth waiting for.
You Can't Come Home Again
Back in the village, word gets out that Ma Qinghao has returned. Wu Aicao's wife, Long Fengbi, is an embroiderer from the Yi tribe. She is not happy to hear the news. She's still angry with Ma Qinghao for abandoning Gun Yueliang years ago. She strictly forbids her husband from hanging out with him.
Wu Aicao is clearly scared of his wife. He agrees completely. But the second he's away from her, he sets up a drinking session with Ma Qinghao and Gun Changpu.
Promises and Warnings
A Splash of Cold Water
Gun Yueliang returns to the village as a champion. The local teacher, Liu Yangxuanyu, and his students give her a warm welcome. Later, the women at the embroidery workshop throw her a party. One of the women, Ma Xiumei, tells Gun Yueliang she's worried. She's afraid Gun Yueliang will take the city job and leave. If that happens, she fears no one will be left to carry on their traditions. Gun Yueliang firmly promises she will never leave the village.
At the same time, the three guys are drinking. Ma Qinghao opens up about why he really came back. He gets emotional talking about his grandfather. Right in the middle of this heart-to-heart, Long Fengbi storms in. She sees her husband drinking with the man she told him to avoid. She is furious. She grabs a basin of water and throws it all over Ma Qinghao and Wu Aicao. They are soaked and stunned. Gun Changpu just sits there laughing.
A Clear Boundary
After the chaos, Gun Changpu walks home with Ma Qinghao. The mood shifts. Gun Changpu gives him a very serious warning. He tells Ma Qinghao that starting a business in the village is a good thing. But he must not disturb Gun Yueliang's life. He needs to leave her alone.
