Episode 22 recap: Jia Baoshan Helps Xiao Fang Buy Train Tickets
In Episode 22, during the winter of 1987, the oilfield base is being relocated just as the New Year approaches. Hu Qiu Min and Li Si bring local specialties to celebrate with Cheng Miao Miao and Cheng Ya Ya, and the three families gather for a New Year's Eve dinner. That year, Yang Song Bai and Yang Tao celebrate the New Year at the Hu Yue family's house for the first time, meeting Li Da Hai and Cheng Peng Fei.
Yuan Shan Qing kneels down to plead with Cheng Ya Ya, who decides not to report him to the police. Despite this, he remains worried that Yuan Yong might return, hoping he would never come back. Suddenly, fireworks light up the sky outside, and Yuan Shan Qing looks up, realizing that New Year is upon them.
Grandma unexpectedly arrives at their home, planning to spend the holiday there after an argument with Grandpa. Jia Dai Yu, feeling uneasy, quickly calls Grandpa. Early in the morning, Cheng Miao Miao arrives at Li Si's house, knocking loudly on the door. Li Si, still in her cartoon-themed pajamas, appears visibly downcast.
Li Si has her own troubles. Everyone has dreams—Qiang Xiao Wa wants to attend Beijing Normal University, and Hu Qiu Min hopes to go to college and study abroad with his brother. However, he has no plan for himself, just thinking about following Cheng Miao Miao wherever she goes. Cheng Miao Miao herself isn’t sure what she wants; she just wants to explore the world.
Cheng Miao Miao doesn’t believe having a dream is mandatory. After all, her dreams change all the time, and constantly comparing herself to others is exhausting. Li Si feels like she has become the "useless" person that Li Da Hai describes. Cheng Miao Miao also has her own frustrations—Cheng Ya Ya is becoming increasingly accomplished, and Jia Dai Yu seems to favor her more. It feels like Miao Miao hasn’t achieved anything significant until she sees Yuan Shan Qing, Qiang Xiao Wa, and Xiao Hua, who are genuinely struggling.
They are the luckiest ones, which is why they seem to have no aspirations. When Cheng Miao Miao and Cheng Ya Ya return home to find Grandma there, they’re thrilled and quickly share stories about Jia Baoshan. Grandma treasures Cheng Ya Ya and Cheng Miao Miao, and the family enjoys a warm and joyful reunion.
Train tickets during the Spring Festival are hard to come by. Most of the people in their dormitory have left, and now Gao Fei Yang is also preparing to go. Only Xiao Fang hasn’t been able to buy a ticket. Since her family isn’t part of the oilfield community, she fears she might end up spending the New Year alone at the oilfield.
Yang Tao is about to return home for the New Year, so Hu Yue lets Yang Song Bai sleep on the sofa while Hu Qiu Min shares a bed with her. Yang Tao will sleep in Hu Qiu Min's room.
Niu Ling Ling talks to Li Si about Bai Shuang, mentioning that she had a long conversation with her. Bai Shuang is a kind and generous person, and despite Li Da Hai having abandoned her, he has always felt guilty about it. After many years of marriage to Li Da Hai, Niu Ling Ling hasn't suffered much. Many people say that Li Da Hai married Niu Ling Ling to climb the social ladder, but that’s not the case—he gradually worked his way up from the bottom.
In Li Si's eyes, Li Da Hai may not be a good father, but he truly loves her. Li Da Hai never saw Li Si as a failure; he just feels the weight of parental hopes, wishing she'd find her own path and succeed. Just then, Li Da Hai comes home, and Niu Ling Ling quickly asks Li Si to serve him tea, but they end up arguing again.
Jia Bao Shan takes a blanket and a stool outside, returning the next morning. Niu Ling Ling prepares New Year’s goods for the family, including gifts for her superiors. Yang Tao brings back wonderful gifts for Hu Qiu Min, making her extremely happy.
Cheng Ya Ya invites Yuan Shan Qing over, and he doesn’t want to go empty-handed, so he decides to steam some buns. Qiang Xiao Wa's brother also returns, bringing joy to both Grandpa and Qiang Xiao Wa as they plan to make dumplings together.
After staying up all night, Jia Bao Shan finally manages to buy a train ticket, but he realizes he purchased it for the wrong destination. After a moment of thought, he decides to invite her to celebrate the New Year at his home. Grandpa arrives too; although Grandma is upset, they still maintain a cheerful atmosphere on New Year's Eve. Jia Bao Shan helps Xiao Fang hang the curtains, but while she steps out to take out the trash, he accidentally falls off the stool.
Comments(Episode 22)