Episode 9 recap: Suo Lang Takes Ashley Sheep Hunting
In episode 9, Ashley plans to bring her mother back to Chengdu for retirement, but Qiao Yanru is reluctant and wants to postpone her retirement to teach a graduating class. After thirty years in Lhasa, she is reluctant to leave the place she loves. Seeing her mother’s emotional response, Ashley decides not to push the issue any further for now.
Early in the morning, Za Xi returns home after a night shift and sits in the sun like Tsedang. Since Tsedang is too lazy to cook, Qu Zong invites Tsedang's son over for a meal, which frustrates Za Xi, who cannot understand why there are such lazy men who shirk their responsibilities as husbands and fathers. Meanwhile, because Suo Lang didn’t return home all night, Tu Deng tries to call him, but there’s no answer.
On the other hand, Ge Sang stays in Lhasa, expressing her desire to become a pilot. However, her brother Jiu Mei believes her dream is unrealistic, as becoming a pilot is extremely competitive and expensive. Meanwhile, Ashley learns that Mr. He owns a livestock farm and decides to visit. She discovers that not all of the sheep are the prized Gongba breed; a significant portion consists of Tibetan sheep.
Mr. He sees no issue with misrepresenting Tibetan sheep as Gongba sheep, arguing that Gongba is simply a top-tier variety of Tibetan sheep. He believes that in order to grow his business, mass production is necessary. Ashley strongly disagrees with Mr. He and leaves in frustration, only to receive a video call from Suo Lang, who excitedly shows her that he has found Gongba sheep.
Additionally, A Wang, Sang Jie, and Ma Mu Ha are genuinely happy for Suo Lang after seeing his video, and he feels revitalized in his career because of the Gongba sheep. Suo Lang then drives to pick up Ashley and takes her to Gongba County, claiming he already has 100,000 yuan from a small loan and believes that partnering with Ashley will double his investment.
Hearing this, Ashley smiles happily, and the two set off together. Yang Jin enrolls her daughter Cozom in an art training class, but an unexpected incident at the restaurant leads to its permanent closure, leaving all job applicants facing unemployment. Xu Shaojie rushes over to explain that the restaurant's location violates historical preservation laws, which could seriously damage the building. However, the crowd is unruly and unresponsive, until Tu Deng arrives just in time to calm everyone down. Xu Shaojie reassures them that he will help find a solution tomorrow.
Soon, Suo Lang and Ashley arrive at Gongbu's house to check out the Gongba sheep. Gongbu personally prepares Gongba lamb for them to taste and promises they can take three to five sheep, but avoids discussing the two hundred sheep they need. Suo Lang, feeling helpless, calls Xu Shaojie and, addressing him as “brother-in-law,” gets lost in a series of brother-in-law calls, asking Gongbu to do whatever it takes to gather the two hundred Gongba sheep.
Due to past experiences of being cheated by businessmen, Gongbu is hesitant to help. To persuade him, Xu Shaojie pulls out a secret weapon: he sings loudly into the phone, despite being tone-deaf, which annoys Gongbu into agreeing. Gongbu tells Suo Lang and Ashley that he will gather everyone the next day to discuss the matter, but if they don’t agree, he won’t be able to help.
That night, Suo Lang and Ashley stay at Gongbu's house, but Ashley's stove, filled with cow dung, fails to ignite, leaving her coughing from the smoke. Suo Lang comes over to help. They chat in front of the stove, and Ashley wonders why Xu Shaojie's singing was effective in persuading Gongbu. Suo Lang, puzzled himself, snaps a photo of her before heading to bed.
The next morning, Suo Lang stands shivering on the rooftop to warm up in the sun, having spent a cold night without heat. Ashley encourages him to exercise with her, but he only half-heartedly moves, leaving her exasperated as she takes him for a run. The high altitude of 4,700 meters leaves Suo Lang breathless.
Yang Jin discusses pausing the art class with her daughter and reveals she has lost her job, which understanding Cozom readily accepts. Za Xi video calls Suo Lang, learning that he is searching for Gongba sheep, just as Tu Deng happens to see this. Gongbu broadcasts a message at the cooperative, calling everyone to a meeting, but aside from Gongbu, no one shows up.
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