Episode 19 recap: Xian Agrees to Zou Jie and Zhi Being Together
In Episode 19, Zou Jie is about to leave when he hears Xian coming upstairs. Startled, he quickly hides in Su Zhi's room. Zhi pretends to chat casually with Xian, asking why she returned home early. She learns that Aunt Wang asked them to water the trees, but since it had just rained, a professor from the agricultural college stopped them, worried that continuing would harm the trees. Aunt Wang then let them return home. Xian's words are filled with complaints, and while she goes to wash her hands, Zou Jie sneaks downstairs to leave.
When he gets home, Zou Jie’s mother has arranged another blind date with an intellectual. However, Zou Jie pretends to be uneducated and rough, scaring the girl off before she even eats.
At the factory, everyone is eager to see Zhi and Zou Jie’s wedding photo, complimenting their looks. Meanwhile, Aunt Wang sees their wedding photo displayed in a studio. After inquiring, she discovers they are getting married and rushes to confront Xian, blaming her for not informing her about the wedding.
That evening, Xian confronts Zhi with the photo, questioning whether she and Zou Jie are rushing into marriage because she’s pregnant. Zhi hurriedly denies it, asserting that their relationship is revolutionary and not what her mother thinks. If her mother feels embarrassed, she’ll move out the next day. Xian softens and asks Zhi to bring Zou Jie home so she can vet him, which makes Zhi happy.
When Zou Jie visits Xian's home, he feels Xian's intense gaze. She questions him about their secret marriage and whether his family disapproves. Zhi explains that Zou Jie’s family is against it because of her father’s situation. Xian understands, recognizing that this is an era for working-class families. Looking at Zou Jie, Zhi doesn't disagree.
After Zou Jie leaves, Xian reflects that even though Zou Jie’s mother may seem petty, Zou Jie is a polite young man. She scolds Zhi for not bringing him home sooner and sincerely hopes her daughter finds happiness. The next morning, Zhi rides her bike to work while Xian takes the bus to Zou Jie’s house. Xian explains she’s there about the kids, noting that Zou Jie’s parents believe the two have lost contact. However, she shows them the photo, revealing that Zhi and Zou Jie are married. She had previously opposed it, but the kids used their household registration to obtain a marriage certificate.
Zou Jie’s parents, upset and frustrated upon seeing that the registration is missing, are left speechless. Xian argues that the marriage is already a done deal, and they shouldn’t continue to oppose it, as they are now in-laws. However, Zou Jie’s parents are unwelcoming and rudely ask Xian to leave their home.
Zou Jie’s father stormed into his workplace, shouting and brandishing a stick, threatening to hit Zou Jie. He blamed him for secretly using the household registration to get married and accused Xian of causing trouble at home, but he didn’t specify what had actually happened. He insisted on taking Zou Jie to see the factory manager, but Zou Jie refused to go, infuriating his father, who left in a huff.
Zhi urged Zou Jie to go home and explain the situation. However, when Zou Jie arrived, his parents immediately threw his belongings out. Zhi rushed back to ask Xian what she had said at Zou Jie’s house. Xian believed that while Zou Jie was a good catch, his family was too poor, and just thinking about his parents’ attitude made her heart sink. The house was also dirty and run down, and after visiting once, she had no desire to return. Zhi, on the other hand, felt that they were the ones looking down on Zou Jie’s family, leading to an argument between mother and daughter.
Worried about Zou Jie, Zhi was relieved to run into him as he was pushing his bicycle and luggage out. She learned that he had been kicked out of his home and felt guilty for what her mother had said about their marriage. Rather than being angry, Zou Jie was inspired and immediately proposed to Xian, suggesting they formalize their marriage so they wouldn’t have to worry about family opposition.
Zhi and Zou Jie went together to get their marriage certificate. When the certificate was placed in front of Xian, tears filled her eyes with joy—her daughter was finally getting married. Meanwhile, Aunt Wang and Comrade Wang from the higher authorities came to see Xian, intending to confiscate her storefront property. Xian couldn’t accept this, as the property was her mother’s inheritance, and she insisted on keeping it for her future daughter. Aunt Wang dismissed her concerns as a lack of awareness. Xian agreed to sign the papers but threatened to harm herself if they took it away. Eventually, Aunt Wang and Comrade Wang had no choice but to leave.
Zhi and Zou Jie discussed participating in a skills competition. Zou Jie was against it, thinking it would be too hard, but Zhi insisted on joining. She believed that his lack of support showed he looked down on her as a temporary worker. Reluctantly, Zou Jie agreed and began teaching her welding techniques.
While they were practicing, Xian received a phone call from the street office, informing her that something had happened at home.
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