Dear Mayang Street Episode 23 Recap
> Dear Mayang Street Recap
While Ma Xiaoxiao was shopping for vegetables at the market, she was approached by a group of men. One of them informed her that their boss wanted to invite her for a milk tea, hinting that the matter concerned Ou Xiaojian. Although Ma Xiaoxiao initially tried to resist, she followed them to an ice room.
There, a man named Tian Ge, speaking for Hua Ge, clarified they only wanted to talk and had used Ou Xiaojian's name to get her there. When Ma Xiaoxiao attempted to leave, the men blocked her way. At that moment, Yi Dongdong rode past on his bicycle. Seeing Ma Xiaoxiao surrounded, he quickly intervened, claiming his father, a police officer, was looking for her.
Tian Ge allowed Ma Xiaoxiao to leave, but delivered a warning for Ou Xiaojian: "Brother Hua reminds him not to be too greedy, or he might choke. Next time, it won't be as simple as an ice drink." Once they were away, Ma Xiaoxiao asked Yi Dongdong who the men and Hua Ge were. Yi Dongdong identified one as the person who had cheated his mother, but admitted he didn't know Hua Ge.
She then urged him not to tell anyone, especially Ou Xiaojian, about the incident or the warning. Yi Dongdong also shared that his father's partner, Uncle Zhong, had recently crashed their delivery truck, resulting in financial losses. He then suggested moving up their joint university entrance banquet, and Ma Xiaoxiao agreed. She thanked Yi Dongdong before heading home. Worried about Ma Xiaoxiao, Yi Dongdong went to Ou Xiaojian's shop, "Little Hong Kong."
He asked if Ou Xiaojian knew Hua Ge, then revealed that Ma Xiaoxiao had been taken by Hua Ge's men and released only after he claimed her father was a police officer. Yi Dongdong relayed Hua Ge's warning, emphasizing that Ou Xiaojian should not be too greedy. Ou Xiaojian was visibly angered and immediately called Ma Pi, instructing him to release a particular batch of goods, which Ma Pi noted was difficult to acquire.
Ou Xiaojian dismissed his concern, stating he no longer wanted the goods and denying that anyone was "messing with him," though he did mention Hua Ge. Later, some of Hua Ge's men discussed how "the boy surnamed Ou" had "chickened out" and released all the goods to Hua Ge, crediting Tian Ge for the leverage. Back home, Ma Yingjun, her father, entered her room, startling her. She quickly left to deliver shrimp to her mother, Aunt Niu.
Ma Yingjun then found her wallet and, while putting it away, noticed a book on her desk containing an inscription from Ou Xiaojian. Sensing his daughter's inner turmoil, Ma Yingjun decided to have a talk with Ma Xiaoxiao. He expressed concern for her well-being, fearing she was keeping her worries to herself and might "break her body." Ma Xiaoxiao, in turn, worried about her father, reminding him of his upcoming medical check-up.
Ma Yingjun then joyfully showed her a train ticket to Beijing, announcing his plan to accompany her for her university enrollment and explore the city. Ma Xiaoxiao was touched, thanking him for his sacrifices. He reiterated that her primary focus should be her studies and assured her that he and her mother would handle all family matters. He encouraged her to be ambitious and explore the world, promising to be her confidant. "
Ma Xiaoxiao, you are Dad's hope," he told her. The Mayang Street community came together to host a festive university entrance banquet for the graduating students. Aunt Niu and Grandma Ou were busy with preparations, while Sun Benyan and Yi Shengli were busy slaughtering chickens. Grandma Ou, especially cheerful, distributed red envelopes to the students, congratulating them and particularly praising Ma Xiaoxiao for her impressive provincial ranking. She wished them all success in their studies.
Sun Falcon, ever the entrepreneur, sold printed photos of the students, and Yi Dongdong was particularly fond of a picture featuring him and Ma Xiaoxiao. The gathering was lively and joyful, with neighbors toasting to the students' achievements and toasting the hardworking mothers. Ou Xiaojian arrived later, joining the uncles for drinks and playfully deflecting a suggestion to find a granddaughter-in-law for Grandma Ou, stating his current duty was to ensure everyone had a good time.
However, the celebratory mood was shattered when Hua Ge and his men stormed into "Little Hong Kong," yelling for Ou Xiaojian and smashing the shop's contents. Ou Xiaojian immediately confronted them, engaging in a fierce fight. Seeing the commotion and their children near the danger, Sun Benyan, Yi Shengli, Liang Yuanchao, and Ma Yingjun rushed in to help, ushering their children to safety first. The police arrived, apprehending those involved.
The station chief sternly reprimanded Sun Benyan, who was the joint defense captain, for fighting. Sun Benyan defended his actions as self-defense against the intruders who "smashed the venue," boasting about his fighting prowess despite the thugs also being visibly injured. Meanwhile, at home, Hao Pu Shi (Aunt Niu) tended to Yi Dongdong's injured arm. She voiced her dismay, regretting that Ou Xiaojian's past involvement with "social people" continued to cause trouble and had ruined the joyous occasion.
Liang Yuanchao recounted his heroic (and somewhat exaggerated) exploits in the fight to his wife, Lin Jiahao, and son Liang Xiaobao, demonstrating elaborate dodging maneuvers, but Lin Jiahao was unimpressed, instead asking her son what he wanted for dinner. Ma Yingjun also suffered a light injury to his arm and a bump on his head. His wife, Aunt Niu, chided him for his "bravado" at his age.
Seeking to resolve the conflict, Ou Xiaojian, accompanied by Ma Pi, confronted Hua Ge. Hua Ge questioned Ou Xiaojian's lack of concern for 'his girl,' to which Ou Xiaojian feigned indifference, claiming he had already dumped her because he was 'tired of seeing her.' Ou Xiaojian retorted that he had released the goods as per Hua Ge's message and called Hua Ge "a dog under A Fei," warning him not to interfere with his affairs again.
Later, Hua Ge reported to An Ge, who, upon hearing Ou Xiaojian was "A Fei's man," was intrigued by Ou Xiaojian's assertiveness and referred to him as "a talent." An Ge advised Hua Ge against squabbling with younger, ambitious individuals, reminding him that his own position could be given to someone else. He then made a phone call to A Fei, telling him that Ou Xiaojian was "good" and "a talent" with a potentially "unusual" background.
An Ge instructed A Fei to "test him again," suggesting that if Ou Xiaojian proved reliable, they could expand their business operations. Later, Yi Dongdong found Ma Xiaoxiao at the street corner, waiting for her. He asked about her preparations for Beijing, reminding her to pack warm clothes for the cold winter. He then presented her with a pen as a "graduation present," suggesting she use it to take notes or write letters.
Yi Dongdong then confessed that he had told Ou Xiaojian about the threats against her, believing it was necessary to prevent her from being hurt, and that this might have prompted Ou Xiaojian's fight. Ma Xiaoxiao reacted with surprise to his admission. As Yi Dongdong left, he reiterated that he didn't want her to be hurt.
Following Yi Dongdong's confession and his departure, Ou Xiaojian's definitive words to Ma Xiaoxiao underscored their strained relationship: "You should look forward to your college life. I'm not going to Beijing anymore. No matter if I'm fighting or going to jail, it's all my own business; it has nothing to do with you."
