Episode 32 recap: The Daughter of Zou Jie Beneath the Grass
In Episode 32, after Tie Dan is taken away by his brother, Zhi immediately writes to inform Chen Qiao about the situation. As night falls, Zhi sits alone under the lamp, reading a book, while Xian appears hesitant, showing signs of inner turmoil. Zhi picks up on her discomfort and gently asks her about it. Finally, Xian speaks up, curious about Tie Dan’s identity and eager to understand the relationship between Chen Qiao and Zhang Guifen.
Despite feeling slightly annoyed by Xian's probing into her personal correspondence, Zhi decides to be honest. That night, Xian tosses and turns, unable to sleep.
Soon after, Xian visits Aunt Wang's house, where she finds the family in chaos; Aunt Wang's husband has been caught cheating and is about to get violent. Xian steps in to intervene, injuring her back in the process but earning Aunt Wang's gratitude.
When discussing taking leave, Aunt Wang cleverly suggests that Xian feign illness. Xian readily agrees, as she used to be an actress and can easily pretend to be sick.
Filled with longing for Chen Qiao, Xian hums a tune while packing her bags and confesses her feelings to Zhi. She resolves not to miss this opportunity and vows to make her love for Chen Qiao known, ensuring that no third party can interfere.
Although Zhi worries about the long journey and the vague destination, she sees that Xian is well-prepared and refrains from further discouragement, though she is concerned about the length of the trip.
The next day, Xian cleverly pretends to faint during a routine check by Aunt Wang and others, successfully obtaining her leave and beaming with satisfaction.
At the train station, Xian gets into a minor argument, causing Zhi to worry that her straightforward nature might lead to trouble. Zhi repeatedly cautions her.
Xian agrees but insists on sticking to her principles, refusing to overly compromise.
As Zhi watches the train depart, she is filled with mixed emotions, reminiscing about her past with Xian and Cong, and reflecting on the fatherly care Chen Qiao had shown her.
Returning to her lonely life, Zhi goes through each day until a letter from Xian disrupts the calm.
Xian’s letter is filled with complaints about her difficulty adjusting to the environment in Xining, even expressing fear of public restrooms. Conversely, Chen Qiao’s letter brings comfort; Xian has finally met him after much hardship, and although she has lost some of her Shanghai refinement, her determination to protect their love has only strengthened. She decides to stay in Xining to shield herself from Zhang Guifen.
Meanwhile, Zhi's belly begins to grow, and Director Gu, as a female leader, notices and advises her to seek medical attention to avoid losing her job. Zhi chooses to face reality and decides to keep the baby, even at the risk of being fired. Moved by Zhi's resolve, Director Gu not only keeps the matter confidential but also arranges for colleagues to cover her shifts, allowing Zhi to focus on her pregnancy.
On a stormy night, Zhi endures labor pains alone and resolutely sets out to seek medical help. After falling along the way, her pain only reinforces her determination as a mother.
Time passes, and the child grows healthy. Chen Qiao and Xian return to Shanghai, where they join Zhi in raising their daughter, Hong. One day, they unexpectedly encounter Zou Jie and his family in the park. Xian enthusiastically introduces Wang Jing, while the age difference among the children leads to innocent exchanges.
When Zou Jie sees Zhi again, he is taken aback. He never expected Zhi to be so knowledgeable about Hong's growth, and Wang Jing's departure leaves him with new questions about the past. At that moment, however, they are just two families happily running in the sunshine, enjoying the rare time together.
Comments(Episode 32)