Episode 20 recap: Zhi and Zou Jie Hold Their Wedding
In Episode 20, Xian and Zou Jie are riding their bikes home when they hear that Xian's mother fell off a ladder while painting the walls and had to be carried back. However, when Zhi and Zou Jie arrive home, they find that Xian is perfectly fine. It turns out Xian was just pretending to fall to avoid painting and hoped it would bring Zou Jie back to see her.
During dinner, Xian suggests that Zou Jie move in with them and act as her son. She expresses her desire for a son and hopes for a grand wedding for her daughter, even suggesting that the factory director officiate the ceremony. Zou Jie agrees to consider it.
After pawning a bracelet she had kept hidden, Xian visits Zou Jie's home again, positioning herself as a relative by marriage. She insists that since Zhi and Zou Jie are effectively married, if she were to introduce Zou Jie to someone else, it would mean he would be entering a second marriage. She urges everyone to recognize the reality and not complicate things for the children.
Xian gives money to Zou Jie's mother, proposing to organize a wedding for her daughter. She wants Zhi to have a respectable ceremony and wishes to keep this matter from Zhi, focusing instead on ensuring the children have a grand event. Zou Jie's mother is left speechless by Xian's words. When Zou Jie's mother returns home, she informs Zou Jie’s father about Xian's visit and encourages him to accept the marriage since their marriage certificate is recognized by the state. Zou Jie’s father refuses to take Xian’s money, disapproving of its source and wanting to maintain his pride; he insists on funding the wedding himself. However, Zou Jie’s mother points out their financial struggles, especially with children still in school, and Zou Jie’s father remains silent.
While Zou Jie and Zhi are working, they receive a call from home asking Zhi to come over. During this meeting, Zou Jie’s parents are polite and express their hopes for a quick wedding, suggesting they prepare a room for Zhi to move in. Zhi returns home joyfully, hugging Xian and sharing the news that her future in-laws approve of their marriage. The family is tasked with creating a guest list for the wedding, and Xian is pleased for her daughter.
The next day, Zou Jie's family visits Zhi's home, and Zhi's friends are fascinated by it, finding everything new and exciting. Zou Jie's parents propose hosting the wedding reception at their place, but only suggest three tables, which seems insufficient to Xian. She insists on adding eight more tables, reminding Zou Jie’s parents that they also come from a revolutionary background, which is just as valid as Zou Jie's working-class roots.
After Zou Jie’s parents leave, Zhi pesters her mother about their revolutionary background. Xian reluctantly fabricates a story, claiming Zhi’s father was a revolutionary youth who died during the war against Japan, but since there's no evidence, she cannot prove it.
After these words were spoken, Zhi was in tears, blaming her mother for not telling her sooner. She had always felt she came from a poor background, which led to her treatment in life. Seeing Zhi cry made Xian feel a bit guilty, reflecting on the two men in her daughter's life: Meng Yu Nong and Cong.
Zhi pleaded with her mother to write down everything about her father to help her gain recognition. Xian agreed to help Zhi and said she would think it over and write it down. After returning home, Zhi happily shared Cong's past with Zou Jie, who was also pleased, realizing that this could help Zhi's situation. Zou Jie informed Zhi that his father was planning to host eight banquet tables, and the young couple was excited about the upcoming wedding.
As Zhi busily packed her things, Xian watched her, reluctant to let her go to the Zou household. She urged Zhi to take fewer items, worrying that Zou Jie's home was too small. Xian feared that after the wedding the next day, Zhi might never come back, leaving her alone for the first time in over twenty years. Zhi had never left her side.
However, Xian was willing to let Zhi go as long as she was happy; she only hoped Zhi would visit often. Xian took out the jewelry left by her mother for Zhi to choose from, wanting her daughter to look presentable for the wedding. To avoid upsetting her mother, Zhi selected a silver bracelet. Xian made an effort to dress Zhi up, encouraging her to wear a dress, but Zhi, accustomed to pants, opted for a simpler look. Xian tied a scarf in Zhi's hair, making her look festive. Zou Jie arrived with a group of young men on bicycles to pick up Zhi, leaving Xian feeling lonely in the quiet house.
That evening, everyone was seated at the wedding banquet, but Xian had not yet arrived. Just then, Xian appeared in a red qipao, stepping out of a large car, stunning everyone. However, Zhi felt a bit out of place, surrounded by simple people while her mother looked so glamorous. Zou Jie discreetly tugged at Xian's dress, reminding her to keep calm. Xian then composed herself and introduced herself to the factory director and other guests.
The wedding proceeded normally. Since Cong was a key member of the factory, many people attended. Watching the newlyweds toast, Zou Jie's mother couldn’t help but shed tears, while Xian approached Zhi with a glass for them to drink together.
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