Episode Summary
Gossip about Ma Qinghao's fight sends ripples through the village, causing family conflicts for both him and Gun Yueliang. While their parents try to control the situation by separating them, Ma Qinghao gets entangled in a scheme involving a dead cow. Wu Enyun offers some wisdom, leading Gun Yueliang and Long Fengbi to find a sense of peace, but a new crisis for Ma Qinghao is already brewing.
Spoiler Alert
The Gossip Mill
Small Town, Big Mouths
You know how it is in a small village. Secrets don't stay secret for long. The news about Ma Qinghao causing a scene at the school spreads like fire. Tian Yanzi and her crew of village women are posted up on the side of the road. They're cracking melon seeds and running their mouths. The consensus is that Liu Yangxuanyu and Gun Yueliang look good together. They think Ma Qinghao is just a troublemaker who stirs up drama everywhere he goes.
An Unmarked Man
Then, Liu Yangxuanyu himself walks up to buy something. The women all go quiet. They were expecting to see him beat up, but there isn't a single scratch on him. At first, they wonder if their information was wrong. Then they decide on a new story. Liu Yangxuanyu must have beaten up Ma Qinghao. He's an educated man, after all. He knows how to win a fight without leaving a mark. They can always twist the story to make it fit.
Family Feuds and Bad Ideas
A Father's Fury
The gossip eventually reaches Ma Yongbing. He gets so angry he grabs a broom and starts chasing his son, Ma Qinghao, around the yard. Once he's out of breath, he tries a different approach. He begs his son to go back to the city. He tells him to stop obsessing over Gun Yueliang and making a fool of himself. But Ma Qinghao is stubborn. He refuses to leave. His mother, Luo Xiaolin, joins in, trying to convince him to go.
An Escape Plan
Gun Yueliang's parents have their own plan. Gun Dayue and his wife, Ye Mei, show up to talk to their daughter. They want to send her to the city to find work. They think it will help her escape all the drama. Ye Mei doesn't love the idea but can't think of a better one. While their family is in crisis, Gun Yueliang's brother, Gun Changpu, is having a great day. He's calmly teaching other villagers how to plant red tassels.
Bad Blood and Bad Business
A Market Standoff
The next day, Gun Dayue and Ma Yongbing run into each other at the market. The two old guys just glare at each other. Ma Qinghao's big business plans are already falling apart. He's just trying to figure out how to stay in the village without getting kicked out.
Some Unwanted Advice
Long Fengbi is furious. She goes straight to Wu Enyun's house to complain. She blames Ma Qinghao for the fact that Gun Yueliang is being sent away. Wu Enyun doesn't seem bothered. She just keeps cutting her paper flowers. She tells Long Fengbi that young people worry too much. You should just do what you want to do. Don't listen to what everyone else says.
A Dead Cow and a Desperate Plan
Ma Qinghao gets a panicked phone call from Wu Aicao. His prize Simmental cow is dead. It was worth a lot of money. Now, he's only getting 800 for the carcass. Wu Aicao has a crazy idea. She begs Ma Qinghao to lend her money to buy a cheap yellow cow. Then she tries to put makeup on the new cow's face. She hopes to pass it off as the expensive one. This can't possibly end well.
Rain, Resignation, and More Drama
A Moment of Clarity
A sudden rainstorm hits the mountains. Gun Yueliang stands in the downpour with an umbrella, just looking out at the hills. Wu Enyun tells Long Fengbi that you can't run from your problems forever. Even if Gun Yueliang goes to the city, she'll just find new troubles there. Worrying about what other people think only holds you back. Long Fengbi finally gets it. She decides to let it go.
A Quiet Conversation
After the rain stops, Gun Yueliang and Long Fengbi head home. Her brother, Gun Changpu, finds her on the way. They talk for a bit, just the two of them. She tells him not to worry about her. She has to keep living her life, with or without Ma Qinghao in the village.
The Phone Rings Again
Back at Ma Qinghao's house, he's cooked a huge meal. He hopes it will soften up his parents and convince them to let him stay. Just as they're talking, Wu Aicao calls again, crying. He thought his wife, Long Fengbi, would be furious about the cow swap. Instead, she's been completely silent, which is making him even more nervous. He begs Ma Qinghao to come over and help him deal with the situation.
