Episode 18 recap: An Yan's Work on the Relocation of Gouxi Village
In Episode 18, An Yan and Xiao Fang arrive at Gouxi Village, a community set to be relocated, but the villagers are hesitant to take the first step. Upon reaching the village entrance, they hear the angry shouts of Zhang Guangsheng, whose son, Zhang Tianyang, is sprinting away. Unable to catch up, Zhang Guangsheng asks Lu Guang Bin for help from a distance. Without hesitation, Xiao Fang, who is quite athletic, dashes after the boy, while An Yan promises to help Xiao Fang get into school if he can catch up.
Xiao Fang manages to catch up with Zhang Tianyang only after the boy accidentally drops his phone. The villagers gather around, expressing their frustrations to An Yan about Zhang Tianyang's summer vacation, during which he spends hours playing games and racking up huge phone bills. An Yan realizes that such a parenting style is ineffective.
By the river, Xiao Fang and Zhang Tianyang chat while washing up, and Zhang Tianyang reveals that he can run 1500 meters in just four minutes. Xiao Fang checks this speed and realizes it rivals that of a national-level athlete, feeling like he's struck gold. Zhang Tianyang explains that he intentionally goes against his father's wishes because his father drinks and has been abusive towards his mother, who left after telling him to run if his father ever hit him.
An Yan decides to start by speaking to the women of the village. The elderly women are reluctant to leave their ancestral graves and worry about how they will survive in the city without land. An Yan patiently explains that the city offers many job opportunities, and moving early allows them to choose better homes, even bringing their ancestors' tablets to the new place. She also mentions that the nearby Shijiu Middle School would be closer for the children, appealing to the women's desire for their children's future. They begin to consider the relocation, but the final decision still rests with the men.
Lu Guang Bin takes An Yan on a tour of the village, where they find the men playing cards and enjoying a leisurely life. Frustrated, Lu Guang Bin tries, unsuccessfully, to persuade them, and the situation escalates into a drinking contest.
At the banquet, An Yan is surprised by the rule that women cannot sit at the table. During the meal, Zhang Jianhe's father thanks An Yan for helping his son escape the village, as he now works at the Discipline Inspection Commission. Zhang Jianhe also tries to convince the villagers to relocate, but they respond indifferently.
Lu Guang Bin emphasizes that new houses are ready, and the sooner they move, the better the options. Surprisingly, Zhang Guangsheng quietly agrees to the relocation, sparking outrage among the villagers who accuse him of lacking loyalty.
To alleviate the villagers' concerns, Xiao Fang suggests screening a film showcasing the school and new homes. Later that evening, Li Qin invites Cong Jun Sheng to dinner, where he honestly reveals he already has someone special in his life. Li Qin graciously wishes him well, and they decide to remain friends.
An Yan is then pulled into experiencing the local drinking customs, impressing everyone with her drinking ability, which earns her the praise of the village elder. Fueled by the drinks, she sings folk songs and encourages the women to join her at the table, breaking old traditions.
The promotional video for Shijiu Middle School stirs excitement among the villagers, who hope for their children to attend such a good school. However, some still have reservations and decide to visit the city first.
The women's director bravely challenges the men: if she can win at the drinking table, they must agree to relocate with their families. An Yan spends the night at the women's director's home and learns of her experience with domestic violence and her children's desire to study in the city. With Zhang Guangsheng's approval, Xiao Fang plans to take Zhang Tianyang to the city the next day for a running test, hoping to prove the benefits of relocation through action.
That night, it seems that the future of Gouxi Village is quietly beginning to change, with the barriers in the villagers' hearts slowly starting to crumble.
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