Dear Mayang Street Episode 25 Recap
> Dear Mayang Street Recap
Grandma Ou burst into tears upon learning of Ou Xiaojian's arrest and imprisonment, unable to accept the harsh reality. Meanwhile, Ma Xiaoxiao tried to visit Ou Xiaojian in prison, but a guard informed her that non-relatives were not allowed visits and her documents did not meet the regulations.
Ma Xiaoxiao pleaded to be allowed just two words and promised to bring all necessary documents next time, but the guard reiterated the rules and added that Ou Xiaojian did not wish to see her. Ma Xiaoxiao was shocked, hearing that he refused her visit. As it was getting late and about to rain, the guard advised her to return home.
Disappointed, Ma Xiaoxiao returned to Mayang Street, where Yi Dongdong was waiting for her at the bus stop with an umbrella. He noticed her desperate expression, which she couldn't hide. He felt a pang of sympathy, observing her sorrowful demeanor. In his thoughts, Yi Dongdong confessed that Ma Xiaoxiao was utterly distraught, her long-cherished dream of going to Beijing with Ou Xiaojian now shattered. He yearned to be close to her but felt helpless.
He heard the sound of her quiet weeping mingled with the falling rain, making it unclear if her tears or the weather caused the sadness. Ma Xiaoxiao, having abandoned her dream of going to Beijing, decided to stay in Guangzhou and apply to a local university. She explained to Ma Dada that this would keep her closer to home, especially given their family's current situation.
Ma Dada strongly disagreed, reminding her sister that she was the first in their family to be accepted into a university, and getting into Peking University was incredibly difficult. Ma Dada declared that she would stay at home to care for their father, even offering to drop out of school to earn money and support the family, promising to take good care of everything.
To dissuade Ma Dada, Ma Xiaoxiao jokingly suggested that if Ma Dada dropped out, she would work at a breakfast shop for two years, then a textile factory, which would make her hands rough and unsuitable for nail polish, dashing her acting dream. Ma Dada, deeply moved, said she was willing to give up her dream because Ma Xiaoxiao had always made sacrifices for her.
Ma Xiaoxiao, touched, praised Ma Dada's acting skills and told her to hold back her tears, then firmly told her that taking care of the family was her own responsibility as the older sister, and if only one of them could achieve their dream, she wanted it to be Ma Dada. Aunt Niu suddenly returned from the hospital, expressing concern for her shop's financial strain.
She complained about the high cost of hospital care and Ma Yingjun's demands for home-cooked meals, wishing she didn't have to personally cook for him due to her busy schedule. Ma Xiaoxiao, while understanding her mother's difficulties, insisted their father needed continuous care, leading to an argument. Aunt Niu suggested that Ma Xiaoxiao take over cooking and delivering meals, and eventually proposed they take turns in caring for Ma Yingjun.
However, after a heated exchange, Ma Xiaoxiao, still angered, stormed out to the hospital to care for her father. Hesitantly, Ma Dada then informed Aunt Niu that Ma Xiaoxiao intended to change her college application to stay in Guangzhou, which surprised Aunt Niu. Aunt Niu then commented to Ma Dada, referring to Ma Xiaoxiao's decision not to go to Beijing, that it was Ma Xiaoxiao’s choice alone and had nothing to do with her.
Yi Shengli gave his son, Yi Dongdong, a suit for his upcoming studies in Beijing, noting how much he had grown. However, Yi Dongdong informed his father that he wanted to stay in Guangzhou for university.
Yi Shengli suspected this was due to Yi Dongdong having overheard a conversation between Yi Shengli and Uncle Zhong, but Yi Dongdong insisted it was partly because he was the eldest and felt a responsibility to help his mother care for his younger siblings, Yi Qianqian and Yi Nannan, while Yi Shengli was out working. Yi Shengli urged him not to feel pressured as the eldest, wishing for his son's better development.
Yi Dongdong admitted there were "other reasons" for his decision, implying his desire to stay near Ma Xiaoxiao. Yi Dongdong and Ma Xiaoxiao met at the school to change their college applications. Hao Pushi advised Yi Dongdong to think carefully, reminding him that there would be no going back once the changes were made. Ma Xiaoxiao forgot her pen, but Yi Dongdong offered her his.
After a brief hesitation, Ma Xiaoxiao changed her application, confirming her decision to study in Guangzhou. Yi Dongdong also changed his application to a local university, reasoning that his grades made it a better choice, echoing what their teacher had also suggested earlier when advising students to be certain of their final choices. Lin Jiahao made savory meat pies, and Liang Xiaobao secretly brought them to Zeng Hao. Zeng Hao was playing the piano, but her mind was elsewhere.
Grandma Zeng had diligently cut out and compiled insightful articles, like "Where is China's Future Symphony?" and "Classical Music Retains the Lost Noble Spirit," into a scrapbook for Zeng Hao, considering them spiritual nourishment to enhance her inner self. When Liang Xiaobao arrived with the meat pies, Zeng Hao joyfully ate them, and the two chatted happily.
Yi Qianqian gave Yi Dongdong all her saved pocket money as a gift, having heard that the school cafeteria food was not good and encouraging him to eat better outside. Yi Nannan, without pocket money, presented Yi Dongdong with a "certificate of guarantee," promising to be at his beck and call, which made Yi Dongdong both laugh and feel deeply touched. Zeng Hao departed for Shanghai to pursue her music dream.
Grandma Zeng, tearful and reluctant, bid her farewell, urging her to take care of herself and eat on time. Liang Xiaobao, also emotional, bought many snacks for Zeng Hao's journey. Ma Xiaoxiao and Ma Dada also came to see Zeng Hao off, hoping she would share exciting stories about Shanghai. Shortly after, at the same location, Yi Dongdong saw off Sun Falcon and Liang Xiaobao, who were heading to Shenzhen for their studies.
Yi Dongdong and Ma Xiaoxiao then began their respective university lives in Guangzhou. Yi Dongdong and Ma Xiaoxiao often went grocery shopping together in Guangzhou. During one trip, they observed an elderly couple, Grandpa Huang and Grandma Huang, whose devotion made Ma Xiaoxiao envious as Grandpa Huang bought his wife a flower every day. While Ma Xiaoxiao was preoccupied buying fish belly, Yi Dongdong playfully bought her a cauliflower, calling it a "unique flower."
Ma Xiaoxiao found it ugly and refused it, but Yi Dongdong insisted on carrying it. Upon realizing that the fish belly was too fatty for her father, Ma Yingjun, Ma Xiaoxiao rushed back to the market to exchange it for a fish tail. Yi Dongdong offered to cook the meal. Back home, Yi Dongdong continued to help care for Ma Yingjun, who remained unable to fully care for himself after his surgery, assisting him with his personal hygiene and meals.
Ma Xiaoxiao frequently thanked Yi Dongdong for his selfless help, especially with her father's care. Aunt Niu also praised Yi Dongdong, mentioning how he had carried Ma Yingjun when his wheelchair broke, and insisted he stay for dinner, recognizing him as "one of the family." After two years, Ou Xiaojian was released from prison. He sought out Ma Xiaoxiao, but Yi Dongdong intercepted him.
Not wanting Ma Xiaoxiao to be upset, Yi Dongdong candidly confessed his feelings for Ma Xiaoxiao to Ou Xiaojian, vowing to pursue her diligently regardless of the outcome. Ou Xiaojian, acknowledging Yi Dongdong's words, accepted his determination. Yi Nannan, despite failing his college entrance examination, remained unrepentant, neglecting his studies for video games. His mother, Hao Pushi, urged him to study diligently for the retake, warning him of the embarrassment of another single-digit score.
Yi Nannan, however, retorted that Ma Dada’s score was even lower than his, so he wouldn't be alone in embarrassment. Hao Pushi reminded him of Ma Dada’s resourcefulness in earning money. Later, Yi Nannan was seen at an arcade, trying to borrow money from the owner, betting on his ability to win the game. Sun Falcon and Liang Xiaobao found Yi Dongdong at the arcade, discussing their post-graduation plans.
Liang Xiaobao declared he would follow Zeng Hao wherever she went, having no plans for work, but Sun Falcon reminded him of his ambitious dreams for Zeng Hao, involving a big house and a grand piano. Yi Dongdong emphasized that men needed careers and purpose to be worthy of pursuing the women they loved. When they invited Yi Dongdong to play, he declined, saying he needed to check on Ma Yingjun, who had a follow-up examination that day.
Sun Falcon teased him about visiting his "father-in-law and wife." Yi Dongdong later found Ma Yingjun at the hospital, almost having fallen while waiting for Ma Xiaoxiao. Ma Xiaoxiao soon arrived, explaining she had been at a law firm where her internship application had just been approved. Yi Dongdong congratulated her, and Ma Yingjun expressed relief that the firm was close to home. Ma Xiaoxiao, seeing her father's concern for home, reaffirmed that "home is where your family is." Yi Dongdong then left, content that Ma Xiaoxiao could now accompany her father.
