Episode 29 recap: Zou Jie and Zhi's Divorce for a Chance in Shanghai
In episode 29, life seems to settle into a routine. Zhi works daily in the cafeteria while Zou Jie prepares for a transfer to a factory in Suzhou. He mentions this move to his father, who assumes it's a promotion and agrees, asking only for the specific timeline. Zou Jie isn’t sure how to respond. Just then, Zhi returns, and he takes her aside to discuss the situation, hoping to consult her. Seeing Zou Jie’s distressed expression, Zhi feels guilty for being a burden to him. Zou Jie reassures her repeatedly that he doesn’t want to leave, especially not Zhi. With tears in her eyes, Zhi struggles to find the right words to comfort him.
That night, Zhi has a nightmare where the Red Guards are capturing Zou Jie, waking up in a panic. The next morning, she rushes to the factory office to plead with the director to help keep Zou Jie in Shanghai, even willing to accept any punishment herself. The director explains he doesn’t have the authority to make that decision, but when Zhi refuses to get up, he reluctantly agrees to speak with the higher-ups. Zhi expresses her wish to substitute for Zou Jie if possible, and the director, moved by her determination, agrees to help.
Director Li visits Zou Jie’s father, laying out the situation between Zou Jie and Zhi without room for negotiation; it must be handled this way. Upon hearing this, Zou Jie’s father immediately rushes to the workshop to pull Zou Jie away from his work. Meanwhile, Zhi, chopping vegetables, seems to sense something is wrong and accidentally cuts her finger.
After lunch, Zhi heads to wash the dishes, where she meets Zou Jie’s new apprentice, Zhao Jing, who asks about Zou Jie’s whereabouts and learns that he left early.
When Zhi gets home, she finds her family tense and insists she should tell the truth. Although she initially wants to pretend, Zou Jie’s parents confront her, upset that they weren’t informed about the serious issues. If it weren’t for Director Li, they wouldn’t have known anything. Zou Jie’s father immediately insists that the couple should divorce. Back in their bedroom, both Zou Jie and Zhi can't help but cry. Zou Jie can’t bear to part with Zhi, declaring that she will always be his true love, while Zhi believes that once they are divorced, their relationship will be over, allowing them to move on with others.
When Zhi and Zou Jie go to apply for their divorce certificate, the registrar requests they return after a two-week cooling-off period, explaining that many couples regret their decision. Zou Jie firmly insists on getting the certificate that same day, but the staff refuse, allowing only a five-day advance. Seeing Zou Jie’s anxiousness, Zhi quickly pleads with the office staff, explaining that her father is a capitalist and that it’s essential for her husband’s future that they obtain the certificate today. Moved by Zhi’s situation, the staff eventually agree, also noting that they can reconcile later if they wish. Zhi feels a sense of relief and happiness at this outcome.
Zhi packed her things and prepared to leave, while Zou Jie accompanied her downstairs. Zou's mother offered to cook for Zhi, but she declined. After Zhi left, Zou Jie’s parents felt a deep sense of reluctance and guilt; they believed Zhi was a good person, unfortunately burdened with a problematic mother. Zou Jie didn’t go back upstairs after seeing Zhi off, fearing he wouldn’t be able to face Xian. Zhi didn’t say much, simply watching Zou Jie walk away.
Xian pressed Zhi about her return, and she admitted she had gotten divorced. Xian couldn’t understand why Zhi would leave such a good person. Zhi vented her frustration about her mother, blaming her for everything. If her mother hadn’t divorced, Zou Jie wouldn’t have had to leave Shanghai, prompting Xian to tear up in sadness. That night, Zhi tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and Xian was also restless.
The next morning, Zhi went to work while Xian swept leaves on the street. Zou Jie excitedly ran to find Zhi, sharing the news that he had been allowed to stay at the factory. He felt relieved and suggested that once this tough period passed, they could remarry. Zhi smiled and nodded in agreement.
After hearing about the divorce, Zhao Jing rushed to find Zhi, asking whose idea it was and if Zou Jie had requested the divorce to distance himself. Zhi remained silent. Later, while Zhao Jing was welding, Zou Jie pointed out her mistakes. Unexpectedly, Zhao Jing, who had a crush on him, snapped at Zou Jie, warning him that he wouldn’t be her master anymore and didn’t need to instruct her. Zou Jie felt embarrassed and pressed Zhao Jing for the reason behind her outburst.
Zhao Jing was Director Li’s niece and knew about Zhi’s kneeling plea to the director for Zou Jie to stay. She looked down on Zou Jie for choosing to divorce Zhi in order to remain. Zou Jie was left speechless by her harsh words. Meanwhile, Xian noticed Zhi’s return and specifically asked if she had seen Chen Qiao.
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