Episode 3 recap: Memories of Chen Mai Dong and Zhuang Yan.
In the eyes of her friend Wang Xi Xia, Zhuang Jie was a workaholic who would sacrifice her life for achievements. As time went on, it naturally took a toll on her health. After Zhuang Jie underwent surgery, Wang Xi Xia took leave from work on her behalf and arranged for her to return to her hometown for a proper rest. Zhuang Jie gladly accepted the arrangement and was pleasantly surprised to encounter Chen Mai Dong, who left a deep impression on her memory, despite his eccentric personality after all these years. This reunion brought her joy.
Due to Lin Grandma's words, Chen Nai Nai felt a vague sense of unease in her heart. After all, the phrase "sacrificing one's life for love" sounded somewhat eerie. On the other hand, Zhuang Yan was by the riverside, holding a sketchbook and unexpectedly discovered a body floating on the water's surface. When Chen Mai Dong and the others arrived at the scene, the forensic examiner and the police had already left. Preliminary examination revealed that the deceased was underage and had drowned while swimming in the river when staying at a classmate's house.
Chen Mai Dong noticed Zhuang Yan, who was an eyewitness nearby, and advised him to go home early. However, Zhuang Yan voluntarily suggested going to the funeral parlor to pay respects. After considering it for a moment, Chen Mai Dong agreed to accompany him back, but he struggled to accept the shock of death and the passing of life.
Zhuang Jie received a phone call and hurriedly arrived, comforting him with the words Chen Mai Dong had once said to him. Chen Mai Dong expressed that death was the most powerless and fair thing, as the weight of everyone's ashes did not differ significantly. Death does not judge heroes based on success or failure; as long as one has existed, it already holds meaning.
Zhuang Jie accompanied Zhuang Yan back home and then went to the balcony to chat with their mother after their younger brother fell asleep. Liao Tao was dissatisfied with Zhuang Yan's character, as he had never been reliable except for exams and had not earned a single penny for the family until now. In fact, Liao Tao had long wanted to expand the braised chicken shop and purchase a batch of fully automated machines, so he wouldn't have to suffer and work until midnight. The savings at home were used to buy houses for their three children.
Although Zhuang Jie and their mother had a few arguments, she still gave Liao Tao the money she had saved from her work. She openly stated that she liked staying at home and found it very comfortable. However, she acknowledged that too much comfort could dull a person's willpower. She was well aware of her physical disabilities, which is why she strived to excel even more. From the day she passed the exam to go to Shanghai, she had made up her mind. She wanted to have more fighting spirit than ordinary people and become a golden phoenix soaring out of Nanping Town, firmly establishing herself in Shanghai and witnessing a higher and farther scenery.
Listening to her daughter's heartfelt words, Liao Tao finally calmed down and showed a relieved smile. The mayor wanted to take advantage of the May Day holiday to gather college students who were studying or working outside and have a tea party together. Wu Xuehua came to Liao Tao to fill out a form and admired her for raising two college students. Liao Tao still couldn't stop praising her daughter, but whenever she mentioned her son Zhuang Yan, her face was full of disdain.
At this moment, Zhuang Jie was out shopping for clothes with He Niao Niao when they unexpectedly ran into Chen Nai Nai dragging a reluctant Chen Mai Dong. Chen Nai Nai firmly believed that Zhuang Jie and Chen Mai Dong were destined to get married and become a family. He Niao Niao, who was standing nearby, seemed to have hit the jackpot and secretly aimed her phone at Chen Mai Dong to take a photo.
Zhuang Jie admitted that she had feelings for Chen Mai Dong, but unfortunately, they could only be friends and couldn't develop into lovers. Chen Mai Dong's cold response once again angered Grandma. Zhuang Yan had no interest in the so-called tea party, so he asked Zhuang Jie to attend on his behalf, while he went back to his room to supervise his younger sister's studies.
He Niao Niao gossiped with Zhuang Yan about the past between Chen Mai Dong and Zhuang Jie, and even suspected that the reason why Zhuang Jie had been single for so many years was definitely because Chen Mai Dong had mental control over her. They should find a way to solve this problem. Every time Chen Mai Dong was pressured to get married by Grandma, he would hide at the Hong Xu Freight Station. His brothers were all concerned about his lifelong matters and believed that even after all these years, there must still be feelings between him and Zhuang Jie.
Although Chen Mai Dong vehemently denied it, he had to admit that there was a period of rumors between them. At that time, Zhuang Jie was assigned by the teacher to play the role of a tree on the stage, and she also recommended the introverted Chen Mai Dong. On that day, the "two trees" stood facing each other with a knowing smile in the school corridor, and something unspoken took root and sprouted in their hearts.
Comments(Episode 3)