Hilarious Family 2 Episode 14 Recap
> Hilarious Family 2 Recap
Mai Youyou woke up in Ai Sixi's room, remarking on the comfort of the wealthy family's bed. Ai Sixi, who was already awake, challenged her mother's sudden appearance, noting that Mai Youyou hadn't informed her when she left years ago to travel. Ai Sixi quickly surmised that her mother was once again out of money, despite Mai Youyou's insistence that she truly missed her daughter.
Ai Sixi questioned the whereabouts of Mai Youyou's latest sweetheart, "Mr. Guo," whom Mai Youyou dismissed as unromantic, having given her socks instead of more appealing gifts like hairpins. Mai Youyou then criticized Ai Sixi’s plain appearance, suggesting she needed to use rouge, makeup powder, and eyebrow paint. Ai Sixi, tired of the pretense, directly asked what her mother wanted. Mai Youyou admitted she needed money for cosmetics.
Ai Sixi firmly stated she no longer ran the inn and had no money for her, though she did approve of her mother no longer working. Mai Youyou then pressed for details about Ai Sixi’s marriage to Jing Kan, asking about her bride price and advising her to have a baby soon to secure her position in the family, a suggestion Ai Sixi sarcastically acknowledged. Ai Sixi then asked where she could get breakfast, learning it was in Yushi Chamber.
As Mai Youyou exited the room, she encountered Cuiying, a maid. Introducing herself as Jing Kan's mother, Mai Youyou unhesitatingly ordered Cuiying to go to the South Market to buy two fruit-stuffed jelly cakes, sugared ice cream balls with precisely two spoonfuls of Western sugar, and a set of rouge, makeup powder, and eyebrow paint. Cuiying, astonished that Jing Kan now had another mother, decided to inform Luo Zhusi about Mai Youyou's arrival.
Meanwhile, the gang leader who Jing Kan had previously beaten, still holding a grudge, discovered Jing Kan's close relationship with Ruan Ling, noting Jing Kan's fierce reaction when Ruan Ling was given extra food. Believing Ruan Ling to be Jing Kan's "pleaser" — a term the leader proudly coined to be unique — he decided to capture Ruan Ling to exact revenge on Jing Kan without directly confronting him. Ruan Ling was brought before the gang leader and his men.
He initially tried to negotiate, offering to betray Jing Kan for his freedom, but the leader was not fooled. Ruan Ling was then beaten and forced to endure humiliation, with the leader demanding he bark like a dog. Just as Ruan Ling was about to comply, Jing Kan arrived to rescue him. Ruan Ling, however, reacted with disdain, trying to distance himself from Jing Kan.
Jing Kan, undeterred, offered both his hands to the gang leader if Ruan Ling was released. At that critical moment, Supervisor Lei from the Plantation arrived with his men, weapons drawn. He quickly disarmed and arrested the gang, admonishing them for illegally possessing weapons. Lei, recognizing Jing Kan as the eldest son of Jinyu Tea, courteously released him and Ruan Ling.
Lei then proposed a business deal: his friends had high-quality tea but lacked sales channels, and he wanted Jinyu Tea to sell it, splitting the profits fifty-fifty. Jing Kan, displaying generosity, countered with a 30/70 split, taking only 30% for Jinyu Tea, and also proposed allocating a portion of the profits to improve the tea plantation workers' meals. Impressed, Lei agreed and promised Jing Kan and Ruan Ling early release the very next day, a condition Jing Kan had stipulated.
Back at the Jing residence, Ai Sixi worried about Jing Kan's safety. She then learned from a servant that her mother, Mai Youyou, had organized a lavish welcome banquet with sixteen dishes at Yushi Chamber, inviting the entire family. Rushing over, Ai Sixi found Mai Youyou charming Wei Junyi and Xue Muyun with her lively, optimistic spirit.
Mai Youyou, mistaking Luo Zhusi for Jing Kan's mother, attempted to bond with her, leading to an awkward moment when Luo Zhusi curtly reminded her that Jing Kan was not her biological son. Mai Youyou apologized in a later interaction, claiming to be "straightforward." Despite Wei Junyi's attempts to mediate and praise Mai Youyou's ability to bring laughter to the house, Luo Zhusi remained frosty.
Wei Junyi was later upset that she couldn't get tickets for Yunzhu's popular opera, lamenting her age and limited chances to see him perform. Sensing an opportunity, Mai Youyou arranged a meeting with Old Chen, the owner of Huichun Opera House, with whom she shared a history from their days at Shigui Lake. Old Chen expressed his long-held affection for Mai Youyou, but she quickly directed the conversation to securing tickets for Wei Junyi.
After some negotiation and Mai Youyou's subtle threat to cut ties, Old Chen managed to procure two adjacent tickets, promising to deliver them by lunch the next day, a condition Mai Youyou had stipulated. Wei Junyi was delighted by Mai Youyou's influence. Mai Youyou then suggested inviting Yunzhu directly to the Jing household, an idea Wei Junyi enthusiastically endorsed, eager for more liveliness at home.
Following this, Mai Youyou discussed Luo Zhusi with Wei Junyi, attributing Luo Zhusi's difficult and moody temperament to her long-term single status and suggesting she "needs to see a man." This set the stage for another meal where Mai Youyou attempted to set up Luo Zhusi with Old Chen. Mai Youyou introduced Old Chen, highlighting his wealth and long-standing friendship with her.
However, Luo Zhusi, realizing it was a matchmaking attempt, interrogated Old Chen about his personal details in a manner that quickly soured the atmosphere. Old Chen, in turn, rudely criticized Luo Zhusi's age, sallow complexion, and temper, causing Luo Zhusi to angrily declare she was full and depart from the table. Mai Youyou's mother, oblivious to the tension, continued to praise Old Chen and then encouraged Mai Youyou to eat more to attract men.
Later, Xue Muyun and her maid discussed Mai Youyou's actions. Xue Muyun, observing Mai Youyou's seemingly carefree demeanor, shrewdly deduced that Mai Youyou was deliberately orchestrating Luo Zhusi's marriage to remove an obstacle for her daughter, Ai Sixi. Xue Muyun then engaged Mai Youyou in a tea-drinking session, subtly aligning their interests. Mai Youyou voiced her concerns about Luo Zhusi's moodiness and Ai Sixi's occasional lack of tact, asking Xue Muyun to "watch over Sixi."
Xue Muyun affirmed her support for Mai Youyou's matchmaking efforts for Luo Zhusi, acknowledging their shared desire for Luo Zhusi to be "restrained" by a husband. Xue Muyun dismissed Old Chen as unsuitable, suggesting Luo Zhusi would prefer a "literate and talented" man, like Jing Kan's father. Mai Youyou agreed, finding the idea "not hard."
While feigning concern about the increased burden on Mai Youyou if Luo Zhusi married, Xue Muyun received Mai Youyou’s assurance that she would rely on Ai Sixi for support. Soon after, Mai Youyou successfully invited Master Yunzhu to the Jing household. During his visit, Yunzhu recounted how Mai Youyou discovered him singing and became his "patron" and "benefactor."
Mai Youyou attempted to foster an interaction between Yunzhu and Luo Zhusi, even seating him next to her, and praised Luo Zhusi's capabilities as a "graceful businesswoman" who managed Jinyu Tea. Luo Zhusi, however, remained unreceptive, snapping at Mai Youyou for talking too much. Despite the awkwardness, Xue Muyun found herself deeply attracted to Yunzhu during this gathering.
