Episode 2 recap: Hui Strongly Opposes Xian's Relationship with Cong
In Episode 2, Hui didn't let Xian help out at home, lamenting that everything was a mess without her. Cong's newspaper office was short-staffed, so he rushed to inform Xian, only to bump into Hui, who assumed Cong was just an accidental visitor. That evening, Xian suggested applying for a position at the newspaper. Hui quickly sensed that Cong was behind this and pressed Xian for the truth.
Reluctantly, Xian admitted that she liked Cong and wanted to work at the newspaper. Hui didn't say much but asked Xian to bring Cong home one day, which made Xian happy. The next day, Cong took Xian to the newspaper office, and after an interview, they agreed to let her intern there. Both Xian and Cong were thrilled, and the staff was excited to see such a beautiful new face.
On the way back, Xian suggested bringing Cong home so that Hui could observe him. Cong felt nervous but promised to make a good impression. Xian reminded him to say he was a local if her mother asked where he was from. That day, Cong had an interview at a movie company, and out of curiosity, Xian tagged along to the filming site, where Cong was busy with interviews.
Curious, Xian explored the set and saw a scene being filmed with the star Yao, who was about to walk out due to her maid's incompetence. Meng Yu Nong (played by Zhang Jiayi) recognized that Yao was intentionally causing trouble and didn't blame the maid. Instead, he quickly found someone else to play the maid, inadvertently pulling Xian into the role.
Meng Yu Nong privately calmed Yao down, and with her in a better mood, Xian’s filming went smoothly. Excited by the experience, Xian finally met her idol, Yao. Soon after, Cong came to visit. When Hui asked where Cong was from, he honestly replied that he was from Ningbo, inadvertently revealing that he and Xian had known each other for over a year. This made Hui even angrier, as she couldn't believe her daughter had hidden this for so long.
Cong solemnly expressed his feelings for Xian to Hui, who smiled but remained silent. After Cong left, Hui finally shared her true feelings, stating that she strongly disapproved of their relationship. She believed Cong's modern ideas and rural background made him unsuitable for Xian, leading to another unhappy confrontation between them.
Xian scolded Cong for telling the truth, insisting that he only wanted to say it because he didn't want to be with her. However, Cong felt he shouldn't deceive anyone and wanted to be honest. He also hoped to change Hui's outdated views and challenge her disdain for people from the countryside. Cong was surprised to see Hui smiling at him, thinking she was pleased with his performance. Xian explained that her mother's feelings were hard to read, and that Hui, having been hurt in love, believed that all men were untrustworthy and was very guarded.
Xian specifically wore a red qipao made by her mother to go see a movie, but Hui opposed it. Ignoring her mother’s objections, Xian forced her way out. While Hui was interviewing a candidate, she disapproved of the way he looked at Xian and outright rejected him. While waiting for Cong at the entrance, Xian caught the eye of Meng Yu Nong, who seemed to see a new target. However, when Cong arrived, Meng Yu Nong averted his gaze.
That night, when Xian returned home, Hui was sitting in the dark waiting for her. She demanded that Xian break up with Cong, but Xian refused to listen. The next day, Hui went to the newspaper office to resign on Xian's behalf, leading to a huge conflict between them. Hui sternly insisted that Cong should not pursue Xian, but Cong was unwilling to back down. Upon returning home, the mother and daughter had a heated argument.
Xian believed that no man was trustworthy, claiming they would kiss first, then move on to other things, before ultimately abandoning her. Yet, she felt different from her mother and believed she wouldn't be discarded. In a fit of anger, Hui slapped her. Feeling hungry, Xian searched for food but found nothing. Hui appeared behind her, having left some food for Xian. This gave them a chance to discuss men again, and Xian pleaded with her mother to accept her relationship with Cong, but was met with another refusal.
Heartbroken, Xian lay in her room until Cong came to visit. Unable to tolerate her mother's attitude any longer, she wrote a note and tossed it to Cong, suggesting they run away together. Cong, however, felt that Hui would be hurt and suggested they discuss other options. Xian proposed they meet at the train station the next morning at 8. Just then, Hui's room lights came on, and Cong left without having the chance to respond.
The next morning, Xian packed her things, left a letter for her mother, and took a rickshaw to leave.
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