Episode 16 recap: Luo Xiang Qian took in and reformed Li Tianzhu.
Luo Xiang Qian and Ye Lan often interacted at work. Sha Kai became jealous and, in a fit of anger, Ye Lan decided to cancel their engagement. Upon hearing about the railway construction project that provided meals, Lan Zhi and her friends decided to sign up for it. The workers were highly motivated, and the project progressed rapidly. However, Sha Kai showed a negative attitude and neglected his work, causing a delay in the next phase of the project. Ye Lan and Luo Xiang Qian questioned his work ethic, which led to Sha Kai publicly losing his temper, shouting at Ye Lan and Luo Xiang Qian, and storming out of the room.
Ye Lan caught up with Sha Kai, who vented all the pent-up anger he had been holding inside. He claimed to have a strong aversion to germs and forbade Ye Lan and Luo Xiang Qian from getting too close. Ye Lan was furious and threatened to break off the engagement. Sha Kai, feeling upset, went to drink alone. The station master of the railway supplies transfer station, Chen Yuanlong, took the initiative to join him for a drink, as they had some previous acquaintance at the telegraph office. As they talked, they became more and more friendly.
Ye Lan and Yu Huizhen lived together. They casually discussed their lives, and Ye Lan learned that Yu Huizhen's husband was still on the frontlines in North Korea, which made Ye Lan admire their relationship. Ye Lan felt that Sha Kai had changed completely, and she had to reevaluate their relationship. Sha Kai returned to the barracks drunk and immediately sought out Ye Lan to settle the score. He sat on the ground, acting drunk and foolish, but Ye Lan dismissed him, deciding to break off the engagement then and there. From that moment on, they had no relationship. Sha Kai had already suspected that Ye Lan had changed her mind, but she had no interest in engaging with him and let him vent.
Li Daman was exhausted and couldn't muster the energy to work, so his father scolded him severely. Luo Xiang Qian advised him to take a rest. Ku Mei and Wang Lanzhi came from poor families and struggled to get enough food and clothing. When they heard about the opportunity to receive meals at the construction site, they decided to sign up for the railway project. Wang Lanzhi brought her six-year-old son, Yao Wa, and the three of them begged along the way. After more than two months of arduous journeying, they finally found the construction site.
The team leader brought food to Wang Lanzhi, Ku Mei, and the others. They ate ravenously, but suddenly, Wang Lanzhi fainted. Yu Huizhen discovered that she was extremely weak and needed proper rest. The team leader asked Wang Lanzhi and Ku Mei to stay in the kitchen to help with cooking, which they gladly accepted. They delivered the meals to the construction site, and from a distance, Wang Lanzhi spotted Zhang Biao. Without hesitation, she grabbed her son and left. Ku Mei hurriedly caught up with them, asking why Wang Lanzhi wanted to leave the construction site. Reluctantly, Wang Lanzhi revealed the reasons.
Local police officers came to Luo Xiang Qian to gather information. They had just arrested the small-time crook Li Tianzhu, who had been involved in various scams and had victimized Ku Mei. The police wanted Ku Mei to come forward and testify.
Luo Xiang Qian brought police officers to find Ku Mei. Ku Mei was afraid to testify, fearing that Li Tianzhu would retaliate against her parents if he found out. She was still hesitant, so Luo Xiang Qian asked the officers to leave and talked to Ku Mei alone.
Luo Xiang Qian presented the facts and reasoned with Ku Mei, earnestly urging her to come forward and testify against Li Tianzhu. He emphasized the importance of holding Li Tianzhu accountable to prevent further harm to others. Luo Xiang Qian promised to support her and be her pillar of strength. Reluctantly, Ku Mei agreed, and Luo Xiang Qian sent Wang Lanzhi to accompany her to the police station.
When Zhang Biao heard Wang Lanzhi's name, he was momentarily stunned. Wang Lanzhi returned with Yao Wa after fetching water, and as soon as she saw Zhang Biao, she ran away. Luo Xiang Qian was puzzled, and it was only after Ku Mei explained the situation that he learned that Wang Lanzhi and Zhang Biao were once engaged. Wang Lanzhi felt remorseful towards Zhang Biao, but Ku Mei didn't know the specific details.
Luo Xiang Qian took Ku Mei to the police station. Ku Mei had a good understanding of Li Tianzhu. He was also a troubled child who engaged in petty crimes in the village with a group of delinquents due to poverty and hunger. Li Tianzhu frequently harassed Ku Mei. From the police officers, Luo Xiang Qian learned that there were many people like Li Tianzhu in society. He conceived an idea and decided to take Ku Mei to the detention center to confront Li Tianzhu and persuade him to undergo labor reform at the construction site. Li Tianzhu readily agreed when he heard about the availability of food at the construction site.
Luo Xiang Qian arranged for the release of Li Tianzhu and the other four individuals and brought them to the construction site. Ye Lan recorded their information. Zhang Biao advised Luo Xiang Qian not to accept Li Tianzhu and the others to avoid trouble, but Luo Xiang Qian firmly believed that he could reform them. Zhang Biao reminded him not to regret his decision, but Luo Xiang Qian had made up his mind.
Subsequently, Luo Xiang Qian brought Li Tianzhu and the others to the construction site and handed them over to Li Daman, the captain of the first platoon. Luo Xiang Qian explained the discipline of the construction site to them. Li Tianzhu, accustomed to a carefree lifestyle, had difficulty accepting these rules. Luo Xiang Qian threatened to send them back to the police station, and Li Tianzhu reluctantly agreed.
Wang Lanzhi and Ku Mei came to the construction site to deliver meals. Li Daman gave a steamed bun to Yao Wa, who eagerly devoured it. Li Daman showed care and concern for Yao Wa. Zhang Biao happened to pass by and quickly turned away upon seeing Wang Lanzhi. Ku Mei called out to him to stay and have a meal, and Wang Lanzhi offered him a steamed bun and a bowl of porridge. Zhang Biao took the porridge and left.
Sha Kai, uninterested in eating steamed buns and pumpkin porridge, hid on the side and ate chocolate. Yao Wa curiously watched him, but Sha Kai grew impatient and pushed Yao Wa to the ground.
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