Episode 1 recap: Qiao Hai Yun's 80th birthday celebration was missing Li Yi Jin.
As the Spring Festival approached, Qiao Hai Yun's eldest daughter, Meng Ming Wei, kept calling her sister Li Yi Jin, urging her to come home for the Lunar New Year and celebrate Qiao Hai Yun's 80th birthday. However, Meng Ming Wei couldn't reach Li Yi Jin. Li Yi Jin was avoiding Meng Ming Wei's calls because she secretly followed her boyfriend Zhou Dao to his hometown for the New Year. She was afraid Meng Ming Wei wouldn't approve, so she chose to stay out of contact.
The second daughter, Meng Wan Qing, returned with her family of three. As soon as Meng Wan Qing entered the house, she showed off her daughter Tao Shu Na, who had been admitted to a Ph.D. program. Meng Ming Wei congratulated her but didn't say much. Meanwhile, Li Yi Jin arrived at Zhou Dao's hometown, where Zhou's grandmother placed a brazier at the entrance. It was believed that Li Yi Jin and Zhou Dao's compatibility clashed, and they needed to cross the brazier to ensure a smooth year ahead.
Zhou Dao didn't want to impose on Li Yi Jin and attempted to stop Zhou's grandmother's superstitious behavior. However, Zhou's grandfather sternly stated that if they didn't cross the brazier, they would part ways immediately. Li Yi Jin didn't want to break up with Zhou Dao, so she reluctantly complied and crossed the brazier to enter the house.
Once inside, Zhou's grandmother insisted that Li Yi Jin drink a bowl of chicken blood-infused water. Zhou Dao couldn't bear it and tried to pour the water away to prevent Li Yi Jin from drinking it. As a result, Zhou's grandmother nearly fainted, and Zhou's grandfather once again threatened that they couldn't be together. Li Yi Jin had no choice but to endure and swallow the water.
During the meal, Li Yi Jin politely greeted Zhou Dao's extended family and prepared a gift for each of them. However, when she presented a gift to Zhou Dao's mother, Zhou's grandfather became furious. He blamed Li Yi Jin for bringing bad luck associated with Zhou's mother, considering Li Yi Jin to be a source of bad luck as well. He said hurtful words and demanded that Li Yi Jin be kicked out.
Zhou's grandmother fainted again in distress, and Zhou Dao wanted to speak up for Li Yi Jin. However, Zhou's grandfather used Zhou's grandmother's condition as a threat to force Zhou Dao to kick Li Yi Jin out. Zhou Dao's family took Zhou's grandmother to the hospital, leaving Li Yi Jin alone, hiding and shedding tears.
After entering Zhou's house, Li Yi Jin sent a voice message to Meng Ming Wei, explaining that she wouldn't be coming home for the Lunar New Year. Meng Ming Wei, upon learning this, criticized Li Yi Jin unhappily. However, Qiao Hai Yun, who cared for Li Yi Jin, only thought that Li Yi Jin was returning late and didn't want Meng Ming Wei to scold her.
The youngest daughter, Meng Yi An, arrived and brought valuable gifts for everyone in the family. Everyone happily unwrapped their gifts, except for Meng Ming Wei, who was busy in the kitchen, nursing her wounded heart. Meng Yi An asked about Li Yi Jin's situation, and Meng Ming Wei revealed the situation with Li Yi Jin and Zhou Dao. Meng Ming Wei believed that Li Yi Jin didn't even know about Zhou Dao's family background and still went to his hometown for the New Year. She thought Li Yi Jin was planning to obtain household registration and get married secretly. They argued for a few moments, and unexpectedly, Li Yi Jin decided not to return.
Meng Yi An comforted Meng Ming Wei and helped arrange dinner. The family then joyously celebrated Qiao Hai Yun's 80th birthday. Due to Li Yi Jin's absence, Qiao Hai Yun didn't allow any group photos. The dinner wasn't entirely pleasant, but thanks to Meng Yi An's kind words and mediation, it didn't end in discord.
On the way home, Meng Wan Qing asked Li Yi Jin about her situation, but Tao Shu Na was busy chatting with her crush on WeChat and had no time to join the conversation. Meng Wan Qing shifted the topic to talk about relationships instead. When Tao Da Lei heard that his daughter was pursuing her former crush, Zhang Xiao Yan, he wanted to offer some advice, but Meng Wan Qing interrupted him and didn't give him a chance to give his opinion.
After Tao Shu Na returned home, Meng Wan Qing planned to share a room with Tao Da Lei. Tao Da Lei wanted to discuss something about a package, but when he heard that Meng Wan Qing wanted to sleep with him, he happily went to take a shower and waited for Meng Wan Qing to come to the room.
However, Meng Wan Qing didn't enter the room even though it was late. Tao Da Lei fell asleep and only realized in the morning that Meng Wan Qing was sleeping alone on the floor. Tao Da Lei wanted to squeeze into Meng Wan Qing's blanket and have some intimate moments with her, but Meng Wan Qing rejected him.
Meng Wan Qing blamed Tao Da Lei for not taking care of his health and not going to the hospital for treatment. She felt that she had been deceived by Tao Da Lei many times and no longer trusted him. After being scolded by Meng Wan Qing, Tao Da Lei angrily brought up the topic of giving money to repair his mother's grave and demanded that Meng Wan Qing contribute.
Meng Wan Qing blamed Tao Da Lei for not being filial to his mother while she was alive and only showing face by repairing the grave every year. She firmly refused to give him the money. Tao Da Lei got into a heated argument with Meng Wan Qing. Hearing the commotion, Tao Shu Na deliberately came to knock on their door, and Tao Da Lei and Meng Wan Qing quickly tidied up the room and went out to explain to Tao Shu Na.
Li Yi Jin was kicked out by Zhou's family and had to sadly carry her luggage back home alone. When Meng Ming Wei saw Li Yi Jin return, she sarcastically blamed her for remembering to come home and served her a bowl of hot dumplings.
Just as Li Yi Jin was about to eat the dumplings, Meng Ming Wei questioned her about her time at Zhou's house, which instantly killed her appetite. Li Yi Jin refused to eat the dumplings, claiming that she didn't like them. Meng Ming Wei blamed Li Yi Jin, saying that everything had changed since she started dating Zhou Dao, which made Li Yi Jin even more upset.
Early in the morning, Meng Yi An left Qiao Hai Yun's house with her family of three. Qiao Hai Yun believed that her son-in-law, Qiu Xia, was the most trustworthy one and held his hand, giving him instructions. Meng Yi An felt uncomfortable about it. After a short distance outside the residential area, Qiu Xia asked the taxi to stop and got off first because he and Meng Yi An were already divorced, and Meng Yi An was returning to Shanghai for work, while he had no intention of going to Shanghai.
Qiu Xia had accompanied Meng Yi An back to act in a play, and he wanted to ask Meng Yi An to let him take care of their daughter, Qiu Qiu. However, Meng Yi An didn't agree, so he could only continue acting in front of Qiu Qiu. Li Yi Jin apologized to Qiao Hai Yun, who was afraid that Li Yi Jin would be treated unfairly. She allowed Li Yi Jin to use her requirement of not letting anyone skip the Lunar New Year at home to reject her boyfriend's request to spend the New Year together.
It's so realistic, there are so many unreliable men in real life, especially the men from the older generation. I used to hope that my parents would divorce, but my mom endured and persisted for many years so that I wouldn't become a child from a single-parent family.
Actually, I hope my mom can have her own life and love.
I really don't understand how anyone could support Zhou Dao and Li Yi Jin. If you haven't experienced the pain of a dysfunctional family, please refrain from making casual judgments.
Some comments say they seek solace in each other, but I find that laughable. How can two people who haven't been surrounded by love give love to each other?
Another thing is that violent tendencies can be hereditary, and the TV drama romanticizes Zhou Dao. And can Zhou Dao really sever ties with his grandparents unless they pass away?
And another thing, I can't believe Li Yi Jin would snatch the phone and curse at her own family. Does she have to revolve around Zhou Dao, a man?
In the end, watching a TV drama is supposed to bring joy to oneself.
Internet users also have their own opinions! I'm really angry!
In fact, when you think about it, there are many people in real life like them. When they are young, they don't listen to their parents' advice for the sake of "love." It's only after they get married that they realize the importance of "matching backgrounds." Many of the objections from parents are actually valid because they genuinely want us to live a good life.
No matter who is tied up too tightly, they will suffocate, and they will want to escape. As a mother, I hope my child will always stick to me, never leave me, and I can't be without her. But children will eventually grow up and distance themselves...
When I watch Li Yi Jin's mother, I feel a bit relieved. My own mother is somewhat similar to her, although not as extreme, but the essence is similar. I can totally understand.
My personality is also strong like Li Yi Jin's, so I can imagine how heated our arguments can get. I truly believe that, compared to parents loving their children, children actually love their parents more.
We endure so much, yet it often goes unnoticed.
Human Fireworks" is truly an excellent family drama. It's been a long time since I've seen a TV series with such taste. It really immerses the audience!
Even though I'm a man, the sisterly bond in this drama touched me so deeply that I couldn't help but cry along with them for a long time.
It kept me up all night!
It completely deceived my tears. It portrays the ups and downs of three generations in a family, the trivialities of life! The sisters each have their own family issues, but they come together to help and support each other out of blood-related kinship!
But in reality, there are so many ungrateful siblings! Personally, I believe in being honest and straightforward in life! We should never forget gratitude and loyalty, whether it's family or friendship.
It's something that we all need to mutually uphold, not just one-sided giving.
Family, friends—when they treat you well, don't forget your roots. When they are going through a rough time, don't casually judge them when you're doing well.
Extend a helping hand if you can, and if you can't support them, at least don't kick them while they're down.
Life may be long or short, filled with poverty or wealth. The most important thing is to live our own lives wisely and be healthy with our families.
This drama truly captures the essence of family bonds. In today's world, where human warmth is lacking, every one of us should learn from our own families!
Don't let money blind your eyes and overlook the importance of family ties.