Episode 27 recap: Zou Jie and Zhi Prepare to Have a Child
In Episode 27, Chen Qiao rushes into the office to inform Chairman Zuo that he is Zhi's biological father, a fact that Zhi remains unaware of. Previously, Zhi had mentioned her father was a capitalist during an argument with her mother, but that was said in anger and shouldn't be taken seriously. Upon learning that Cong had previously helped Zhi with her writing, Chairman Zuo understands why her work was published.
Afterward, Cong privately tells Zhi that he is not her biological father. He confirms that her real father is indeed a capitalist but warns her that revealing this could ruin her future. Cong also reveals his identity to Zhi, who struggles to accept that her father's situation aligns with what her mother told her.
Meanwhile, Chen Qiao seeks out Xian, who had prepared food for Zhi but gives it to Chen Qiao instead. Chen Qiao is worried about Zhi, but Xian believes Zhi is strong and capable, noting that she even signed the donation documents for the photo studio herself, so she should be fine. Cong remarks that Zhi has a temperament very similar to Xian's.
At Zou Jie’s house, Zhi is hiding in her room and refusing to eat. Zou Jie calls for her but can’t get her to come out, so he asks his sister to try, yet no one can reach Zhi. Xian shares her experiences from the past years with Chen Qiao, hoping to hear more about his situation. Chen Qiao reveals that he is about to marry Zhang Guifen. Cong thinks Zhang Guifen is a good person, despite having two late husbands, but Xian feels uneasy, jokingly suggesting she must be a "husband-killer." Chen Qiao dismisses this as superstitious nonsense.
Soon, the factory manager learns that Zhi is Chen Qiao’s daughter and can’t help but praise her good genes, believing this explains why she can write articles for the newspaper. He feels validated in his decision to transfer Zhi to the union, leaving her unable to speak up.
At the same time, Zhang Guifen discovers the truth about Chen Qiao and Zhi and privately confronts him for clarification. Chen Qiao openly shares the complete story with her. Zhang Guifen realizes that if the truth comes out, Zhi's future could be ruined, yet failing to disclose it poses risks if the organization finds out.
Zhang Guifen believes Chen Qiao shouldn't have told her, as it puts her in a difficult position. If questioned, she wouldn’t know how to respond—hiding the truth or revealing it would both lead to consequences for Chen Qiao and Zhi. Frustrated, Zhang Guifen stands up and leaves without saying another word.
Zhi was tidying up after helping Zou Jie's sister, Yan Zi, with her laundry when she noticed a bracelet under Yan Zi's pillow. It reminded her of the bracelet her mother gave her when she got married, and she felt a pang of sadness but chose not to take it or say anything at the time. When Zou Jie returned home, he asked where Zhi had gone. His mother scolded him for always hovering around his wife and reminded him that it was time for them to have a child.
That evening, Zou Jie wanted to get close to Zhi, but she clearly rejected him. She didn’t want to have a child now, especially since they had no place to live. Zhi suggested that Zou Jie apply for housing at his workplace, but they would only qualify for it once they had a child. Zhi eventually agreed, and they went to the hospital for a check-up. It turned out that Zou Jie had no issues, but Zhi had a blockage in one of her fallopian tubes. The doctor advised them to try to conceive ten days before her next period, which weighed heavily on Zhi’s mind.
As soon as they returned home, Zhi's mother pressed them for the results of the check-up. Zou Jie concealed the truth, falsely claiming everything was fine, and Zhi's mother was pleased, eagerly anticipating a grandchild. Chen Qiao kept replaying Zhang Guifen's words in his mind, realizing that secrets couldn't be kept forever and that concealing the truth would protect the party. He also recalled his conversation with Xian and felt conflicted about telling her he was getting married.
That night, Zou Jie tried to get close to Zhi again, but she reminded him that they needed to wait until ten days before her period. Zou Jie was reluctant, and Zhi brought up the bracelet incident, which made him furious. He immediately confronted Yan Zi, who tearfully denied it but insisted that Zhi check the box for herself. When Zhi looked inside, she indeed found the bracelet, leaving her feeling awkward. She was puzzled about how the bracelet had returned but suspected that Yan Zi might have put it back. Zou Jie urged Zhi to stop dwelling on it.
Zhang Guifen had been avoiding Chen Qiao for several days, but eventually, she decided to meet with him. She asserted that as a party-trained cadre, she needed to speak out about what she knew. Chen Qiao realized that Zhang Guifen intended to report him. He had trusted her when he confided in her, but now she was turning against him. Zhang Guifen felt justified in her actions, reminding Chen Qiao to be cautious.
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