Dear Mayang Street Episode 22 Recap
> Dear Mayang Street Recap
The friends gather for a celebratory meal, eating and drinking until late into the night. Liang Xiaobao, intoxicated, brings up Ou Xiaojian, lamenting that despite numerous inquiries, no one has been able to find him since his arrest. He drunkenly suggests they should pick a fight themselves to be detained and finally see Ou Xiaojian.
Ma Xiaoxiao scolds him for his lack of common sense, explaining that security detention occurs in a detention center, while investigations are handled by the Public Security Bureau—two distinct places. As the night continues, Liang Xiaobao suddenly breaks down in tears, apologizing to Zeng Hao for his poor exam performance. He pleads with her not to forget him in Shenzhen when she leaves for Shanghai.
Ma Xiaoxiao reassures everyone that no matter where their paths lead, their friendship will endure, and they will always find their way back to Mayang Street. Sun Falcon, undeterred by his academic shortcomings, declares his grand ambition to buy a yacht and adorn it with posters of Ma Dada for the entire world to admire.
Yi Dongdong, envisioning a simpler future, expresses his desire for a small, cozy home with a balcony where he can watch the stars with his wife. Ma Xiaoxiao playfully calls his ideal too simple. Yi Dongdong, still in a drunken haze, repeatedly calls out 'Ma Dada.' Ma Xiaoxiao corrects him, stating she is Ma Xiaoxiao, not Ma Dada. Later, Ma Dada, Ma Xiaoxiao's younger sister, appears.
Yi Dongdong tells Ma Dada that she should learn to care for Ma Xiaoxiao, being her only sister. He then attempts to confess something, but stops himself, deciding he will tell Ma Xiaoxiao in person. The friends have finally graduated. The next morning, Yi Dongdong covertly observes the entrance of the Public Security Bureau. When two police officers apprehend him, he quickly invents a need to use the restroom, but his true purpose is to find Ou Xiaojian.
Shortly after, Ou Xiaojian is released. He seems fine and even invites Yi Dongdong for tea. Ou Xiaojian then rides his motorcycle home, with Yi Dongdong accompanying him. Back in Little Hong Kong, Grandma Ou is visibly relieved and tearfully embraces Ou Xiaojian, worried he hasn't eaten properly. Big Fat, equally moved, also cries. Little Hong Kong's business flourishes, with many locals, including Yi Dongdong and Sun Falcon, frequently purchasing goods there.
Big Fat, now in charge of sales, enthusiastically promotes the imported sneakers. Sun Falcon attempts to buy a pair of exclusive sneakers, even asking Ou Xiaojian for a discount, but ultimately decides to split the cost with Yi Dongdong, planning to share them on alternate days. Liang Xiaobao gives Big Fat some money, asking him to select gifts Zeng Hao would like. Ma Dada excitedly informs Ma Xiaoxiao that Ou Xiaojian is back and Little Hong Kong is bustling.
Ma Xiaoxiao hurries to see him. She asks if he is doing well, but Ou Xiaojian quickly evades her, claiming he has other matters and tells her to talk to Big Fat if she wants to buy anything. Sensing something is wrong, Ma Xiaoxiao asks Big Fat where Ou Xiaojian went. Ma Xiaoxiao follows Ou Xiaojian to the street corner, where she is horrified to witness him, A FEI, and Ma Pi brutally beating someone.
As she is about to intervene, Grandma Ou unexpectedly approaches, calling for Ou Xiaojian. To shield Grandma Ou from the disturbing scene, Ma Xiaoxiao quickly diverts her, telling her that Ou Xiaojian is merely seeing off customers, and escorts her back home. Meanwhile, Ou Xiaojian instructs the injured person to warn their superiors that further interference will lead to severe consequences for everyone involved. A FEI later meets with Ou Xiaojian and Ma Pi.
A FEI explains that their expanding business has provoked Brother Hua, especially after Ou Xiaojian's previous encounter with Ah Tian, one of Hua's men. Ma Pi adds that their superiors are displeased with Brother Hua's declining business compared to theirs, which is why Brother Hua is targeting Little Hong Kong. Ou Xiaojian asks who is above them, but A FEI states he will learn in due time.
A FEI then gives Ou Xiaojian a new assignment, demanding absolute certainty that there will be no errors. Ou Xiaojian assures A FEI he can handle it, and Ma Pi vehemently vouches for Ou Xiaojian, expressing eagerness to work with him to grow their enterprise. Meanwhile, Yi Dongdong, having retrieved a gift for Ma Xiaoxiao, sees her holding Ou Xiaojian's hand, leaving him disheartened. Ma Xiaoxiao confronts Ou Xiaojian, imploring him to keep his violent activities away from Mayang Street.
Ou Xiaojian coldly dismisses her, questioning why his actions concern her. Ma Xiaoxiao reminds him of their agreement to go to Beijing together after Little Hong Kong opened. Ou Xiaojian nonchalantly dismisses their pact, saying she should have known he wasn't serious. He insists that people change and grow, and that she fundamentally misunderstands him, given their different paths. He advises her to embrace her university life, bluntly stating he is no longer going to Beijing.
He stresses that his fights and jail time are his personal business and have nothing to do with her. Yi Dongdong, witnessing this painful exchange, calls out to Ma Xiaoxiao, urging her to come to him. Ou Xiaojian, however, pushes Ma Xiaoxiao further away, suggesting she belongs with her friends and warning her against being naive about society.
He cynically adds that if he had lived an "honest life" as she wished, he would not have Little Hong Kong or his motorcycle. Overcome with anger and disbelief, Ma Xiaoxiao grabs a hoe and violently smashes Ou Xiaojian's motorcycle, declaring that she does not believe a single word he has uttered today. As a heavy rain begins to fall, Yi Dongdong watches, feeling utterly helpless. Overwhelmed by his predicament, Ou Xiaojian confides in Li Zhaohang.
Li Zhaohang reveals that the criminal elements are now targeting those close to Ou Xiaojian, explaining that Ou Xiaojian's harsh words to Ma Xiaoxiao were a desperate attempt to protect her. Yi Dongdong, drenched and distraught, stands in the rain, feeling inconsequential in the face of their tumultuous argument. He sadly remembers his earlier intention to give Ma Xiaoxiao a pen, which she accidentally dropped and disregarded, leaving him heartbroken.
Li Zhaohang later meets with Ou Xiaojian again, noticing an injury on his hand. He assumes Brother Hua was responsible and urges Ou Xiaojian to speak openly if he is struggling, even offering him a way out of the undercover operation. However, Ou Xiaojian firmly refuses, stating he will not falter like his father, Ou Jianguo, and is determined to see the mission through.
He expresses concern that A FEI and Brother Hua's conflict is now endangering Little Hong Kong and those around him. To ensure their safety, Ou Xiaojian resolves to hand over Little Hong Kong, a legitimate business, to Big Fat and distance himself from Mayang Street. Meanwhile, A FEI learns that Ah Si was the informant and orders him to be beaten.
Upon hearing this, Brother An, who works for Brother Hua, is enraged by Ou Xiaojian's actions of intercepting their goods and assaulting their men. He also hears that Ou Xiaojian fought for a woman earlier that day, leading him to believe that Ma Xiaoxiao holds a special significance for Ou Xiaojian. Brother An begins to plot retaliation against Ou Xiaojian by targeting Ma Xiaoxiao.
Grandma Ou anxiously awaits Ou Xiaojian's return, and once he is home, she gently questions him about his plans for Beijing. Ou Xiaojian confirms, with a somber but resolute tone, that he is no longer going. Grandma Ou, visibly saddened, asks him one last time, to which he again confirms his decision not to go.
