Dear Mayang Street Episode 28 Recap
> Dear Mayang Street Recap
After a conversation, Yi Dongdong, flushed with sweat, returned home and found his sister, Yi Qianxi, crying. He realized his earlier words had been too harsh. Meanwhile, Ma Dada had a photoshoot at the TV station. As she was leaving happily, she sprained her ankle. Sun Falcon, who was at the entrance, saw her and immediately carried her to the bus stop. It seemed a seed of love was sprouting in Sun Falcon's heart.
While they were there, Ma Dada asked Sun Falcon if he could film an introduction video for her, mentioning that the TV station had asked her to record one. Sun Falcon joked that "Master Sun is very expensive," but when Ma Dada threatened to find someone else, he quickly agreed, saying she had no one else to ask anyway.
Ma Dada then asked for a ride, but Sun Falcon had to leave for an outdoor shoot in Xidi, so he advised her to be careful on her own. Ma Dada returned home and found Ma Xiaoxiao. She tried to convince Ma Xiaoxiao to be in her introduction video, explaining that she thought it would be a nice souvenir for everyone.
Ma Xiaoxiao initially resisted being on camera, citing shyness, but Ma Dada insisted that with her beauty, she belonged on screen. Ma Dada further pressured her by saying that Yi Dongdong and Ou Xiaojian had already agreed. Despite Ma Xiaoxiao’s continued reluctance, she eventually gave in, much to Ma Dada's delight. Sun Falcon arrived with an expensive imported Japanese camera, noting how hard it was for his dad to borrow it.
The group, including Ma Dada, Yi Dongdong, Yi Nannan, Liang Xiaobao, Sun Falcon, and Ou Xiaojian, brainstormed ideas for the video. Yi Dongdong suggested making a "music short film," a popular trend like Michael Jackson's work. Ma Dada decided they would perform "chasing the wind in the wind." The team then filmed the MV-style video, which stood out among other contestants' singing and dancing submissions. Afterward, they gathered for a celebratory meal.
Ma Dada mentioned she was going to Shanghai next week and asked Liang Xiaobao to deliver something to "Haohao" for her. Ou Xiaojian stepped away from the celebratory dinner to drink alone. Yi Dongdong joined him, asking if he would attend Ma Dada’s live competition. Yi Dongdong explained that only family members of contestants were allowed to attend, and as Ma Xiaoxiao's boyfriend, his presence would make her very happy.
Yi Dongdong emphasized that Ma Xiaoxiao deeply values her family and expressed his hope that Ou Xiaojian would gain acceptance from Aunt Niu and Ma Yingjun. Ou Xiaojian simply replied that he understood. Yi Dongdong then wished him success, and Ou Xiaojian thanked him. As Yi Dongdong observed Ma Xiaoxiao's unburdened smile, he reflected on his feelings.
He mused in a voice-over that giving up on someone he had liked for so long felt like a severe physical trauma, where the initial shock numbs the pain, leaving him unsure how much it would hurt when his nerves eventually reacted. Yet, seeing Ma Xiaoxiao's carefree happiness, he concluded that stepping aside now might be the right decision. Meanwhile, Zeng Xing returned from studying abroad. A crowd of neighbors and reporters gathered to greet him.
Reporters asked about Mr. Noah, the famous architect Zeng Xing was accompanying. Zeng Xing clarified that Mr. Noah would arrive in Guangzhou in three days, and Zeng Xing had returned early as a core member of the urban planning project to communicate with relevant departments. He stated his intention to contribute to the nation's development, a sentiment echoed in widespread newspaper coverage that quickly made him famous throughout Mayang Street. Zeng Xing invited Ma Xiaoxiao to dinner with his teacher.
During the meal, the teacher, prompted by Zeng Xing, enthusiastically encouraged Ma Xiaoxiao to study abroad, noting her excellent grades and scholarship potential. He argued that her international law specialization truly needed firsthand experience from overseas. Ma Xiaoxiao, however, expressed her preference to build experience in domestic law firms first, stating that everyone has different ideas.
Despite her stance, Zeng Xing informed the teacher that Ma Xiaoxiao was a senior and might need assistance with her applications for the upcoming spring admissions, acting without her consent. Ma Xiaoxiao found Zeng Xing’s assertiveness uncomfortable, especially when he angrily demanded a waiter to quiet the noisy patrons in the adjacent private room, a behavior she openly disliked. After Ma Xiaoxiao walked the teachers out, Brother Jing and his group, from the noisy room, confronted Zeng Xing.
Ma Xiaoxiao rushed back and bravely stepped between them, citing legal threats for assault. Brother Jing scoffed at her words, but just then, Ou Xiaojian arrived. To Ma Xiaoxiao's shock and anger, Ou Xiaojian told her to apologize to Brother Jing. She refused, arguing that Brother Jing's group was the aggressor. Ou Xiaojian insisted, saying he was giving them a chance to resolve the situation, and eventually calmed Brother Jing down, who then left with his group.
Zeng Xing used the opportunity to disparage Ou Xiaojian to Ma Xiaoxiao, questioning what Ou Xiaojian had ever done for her compared to his own efforts. He suggested that her reluctance to study abroad was solely due to Ou Xiaojian. Ma Xiaoxiao angrily retorted that her reasons for staying were her own, tied to her family responsibilities, and accused Zeng Xing of trying to impose his views on her before storming off.
Ou Xiaojian followed Ma Xiaoxiao, catching up with her on his motorcycle. He apologized for asking her to apologize, explaining he did it to prevent Brother Jing's group from targeting her. Ma Xiaoxiao, however, expressed her deep fear of him reverting to his old, dangerous life, seeing him still involved with such people. Ou Xiaojian reassured her that he was genuinely there for a specific matter and promised he would never return to his past.
He suggested they go to a new coffee shop, but Ma Xiaoxiao was tired and wanted to go home, so he offered to accompany her. Grandma Zeng hosted a celebratory banquet for Zeng Xing, attended by many Mayang Street neighbors who praised his achievements. Ma Dada, overhearing the compliments, boasted that her future fame would far surpass Zeng Xing's, with her photos on the largest billboards downtown.
During the banquet, Zeng Xing publicly thanked Ma Xiaoxiao for her encouragement, implying she was a significant factor in his success. Later, Zeng Xing found Ou Xiaojian alone and provoked him, suggesting that Ou Xiaojian couldn't make Ma Xiaoxiao happy and should let her pursue her future abroad. Ou Xiaojian retorted that his love for Ma Xiaoxiao was genuine, not a competition, and that her choices were her own.
Zeng Xing then cruelly mocked Ou Xiaojian, calling him "stupid" and contrasting his privileged life with Ou Xiaojian's "bottom of society" existence, infuriating Ou Xiaojian. As a fight was about to break out, Ma Xiaoxiao intervened, pulling Ou Xiaojian away. After the banquet, Zeng Xing confessed his feelings to Ma Xiaoxiao, recalling how much he missed her while abroad and proposing they go overseas together after he completed his project.
Ma Xiaoxiao, however, gently rejected him, stating that she already had someone she liked and asked him not to waste his time on her. She wished him well, believing he would find his own happiness, before leaving to join Ma Dada. Ma Xiaoxiao later accompanied Ma Yingjun for a hospital follow-up. Her father praised Yi Dongdong's attentiveness during his rehabilitation, comparing him favorably to Zeng Xing.
He then reiterated his disapproval of Zeng Xing and, especially, Ou Xiaojian, whom he called a "good-for-nothing" involved in gang activities, and worried that Ma Xiaoxiao would abandon him by going abroad. Ma Xiaoxiao defended Ou Xiaojian, saying he was trying to build a life for himself and wasn't a "loser." She assured her father that she would never abandon him, but firmly asked for the space to make her own decisions about her friends and future relationships.
Ma Yingjun, however, continued to express his fear of being left alone, to which Ma Xiaoxiao lovingly reassured him she would always be there. Zeng Xing confided in his mother, Zeng Zhenmei, asking if she resented his father for leaving them without a word. Zeng Zhenmei admitted to initial despair but explained that time had healed her, and she no longer hated him because his departure ultimately brought her the joy of having Zeng Xing and "Haohao."
She described his father as an artist dedicated to freedom, a trait she loved but also accepted as the reason for his abandonment. Zeng Xing, still bitter, confessed his deep hatred for his father, particularly how others attributed his talents to his father's genes. Zeng Zhenmei, realizing the depth of his pain, apologized for not understanding his burdens and advised him to let go for his own peace, especially in matters of the heart.
Zeng Xing then asked if she still thought of his father. She admitted she did, occasionally, but mostly focused on their family's future. She then revealed her relationship with "Uncle Li," describing him as kind and learned, and how fortunate she felt to have met him at her age. Zeng Xing expressed his support for her relationship.
Zeng Zhenmei then proposed moving their family to Shanghai, explaining that her own mother longed for Shanghai and "Uncle Li" was relocating there for work. She presented it as a new start, another chance for Zeng Xing to let go of unfulfilled desires, especially in love. Zeng Xing appeared hesitant, admitting he didn't know if he could leave everything behind. Despite their attempts to move quietly, the Mayang Street neighbors learned of their departure and gathered to bid the Zeng family farewell, a gesture that deeply touched Grandma Zeng.
