Hilarious Family 2 Episode 15 Recap
> Hilarious Family 2 Recap
Jing Kan and Ruan Ling sat at a noodle shop where Ruan Ling tried to order fried flour and then butterfly noodles, only to learn that only plain noodles were available. Jing Kan tore up the IOU for 200 taels that Long Er had forced Ruan Ling to write, declaring him free. He then departed, explaining that Ai Sixi was waiting for him and that the noodles were for Ruan Ling.
Watching Jing Kan leave, Ruan Ling felt a sudden sense of loss, realizing that their recent companionship was more than just about debt. Meanwhile, at the tea shop, Ai Sixi struggled to run the business due to her lack of tea knowledge. She attempted to explain the difference between "fannings" and "scented tea," claiming they came from different trees.
Guiwei corrected her, pointing out that both teas originate from the same tree but are processed differently, and jokingly questioned her ability to run a tea shop. Guiwei then expressed worry about their impending bet with Luo Zhusi, as both Jing Kan and Ruan Ling were absent, and neither he nor Ai Sixi understood tea. Guiwei also noted Ai Sixi's temper had worsened since Jing Kan left.
Ai Sixi suggested asking Mr. An to find another knowledgeable tea expert for help. Just then, Jing Kan returned, and Ai Sixi rushed to embrace him, expressing how much she had suffered in his absence. Ai Sixi was puzzled when she learned Jing Kan had released Ruan Ling, concerned about the bet with Luo Zhusi and the difficulty of finding another knowledgeable tea expert. To everyone’s surprise, Ruan Ling appeared.
While he explained that he was not soft-hearted but simply couldn't bear to see their shop neglected, his return was actually prompted by having been recognized and pursued by former adversaries after Jing Kan's initial departure, forcing him to seek refuge back with Jing Kan. He agreed to stay on the condition that he receive a private bed and a dedicated privy, which Ai Sixi readily agreed to, instructing Guiwei to buy a new bed and use the outdoor privy.
Guiwei brought Ruan Ling some fruit and inquired if he truly returned out of concern for the tea shop. Ruan Ling reiterated his earlier sentiment, replying that fate brings people together, and helping others is ultimately helping oneself. Soon after, Ruan Ling, while eating at a noodle shop, was recognized and chased by former adversaries, highlighting his continued vulnerability. At the tea shop, a significant customer arrived specifically to purchase tea from Supervisor Lei.
The customer, already aware that the tea had arrived that afternoon, bought all 120-130 jin, paid a deposit, and provided his address for future deliveries. Xue Muyun was seen practicing gestures, nostalgic for Yunzhu's singing and wishing for his guidance. Her daughter, Jing Zhenzhu, arrived, expressing annoyance that she missed Yunzhu's previous performance and demanded Xue Muyun arrange a private performance for her. Xue Muyun agreed.
Luo Zhusi summoned Mai Youyou, who, mistaking the purpose of the meeting, apologized for her past emotional outbursts, thinking it was about her own remarriage. Luo Zhusi quickly steered the conversation to Jing Kan, proposing he take a concubine to secure the family line and suggesting two potential candidates: a strong-willed general's daughter or an accomplished scholarly maiden.
Mai Youyou voiced her preference for monogamy, then subtly shifted the blame for Yunzhu's frequent visits onto Xue Muyun, claiming Xue Muyun was very fond of Yunzhu and invited him. Luo Zhusi then threatened Mai Youyou, stating that either Jing Kan must take a concubine, or Xue Muyun must be married off to Yunzhu, implying that a wedding in the Jing family was imminent and asking Mai Youyou to decide which matter was more pressing.
Mai Youyou found herself in a difficult position, realizing she was dealing with a challenging mother-in-law, while Cuiying overheard and, dismissing Xue Muyun's chances with Yunzhu, resolved to pursue him herself. Jing Kan visited his grandmother, Wei Junyi, bringing her snacks he once disliked but now enjoyed after his time at the Plantation. Wei Junyi observed his transformation, attributing it to the hardships he endured.
Jing Kan confided his intention to participate in the upcoming Tea Contest to honor his late mother's legacy with Banfang Tea and to advocate for the suffering tea farmers of Taiping County, who were exploited by corrupt officials despite their heavy production quotas. Wei Junyi supported his ambition and, even more so, expressed her approval of Ai Sixi, urging Jing Kan to cherish her.
Later that evening, Jing Kan and Ai Sixi were sharing a foot bath when Ai Sixi lightheartedly complained about the water's heat, though it was comfortable. She voiced her support for Jing Kan's participation in the Tea Contest and asked him to promise he wouldn't leave again. Jing Kan reassured her that he wouldn't. A servant arrived with an invitation for Jing Kan to drink with his former classmates.
Ai Sixi encouraged him to attend, emphasizing the importance of networking for business, and suggested she accompany him. Jing Kan and Ai Sixi attended the gathering. Jing Kan's classmates introduced their wives, Qinxin and Shiyun. Jing Kan's past poetry was praised. One friend presented "Mifangzong Tea," a new product from Ruicao Tea, comparing it favorably to the famous Banfang Tea. The guests lauded the tea's quality.
Ai Sixi, feeling out of her element in the sophisticated discussion, remarked that she probably didn't enjoy such "pretentious elegance" and left to buy roasted chicken. Later, Jing Kan offered to teach Ai Sixi to write, but she found it challenging, joking that a brush felt heavier than a knife. While learning the character "Ban," Ai Sixi noticed a tree in Jing Kan's late mother's painting resembled the character "Ban."
Others joined them, and upon closer inspection (including Guiwei), they realized the painting was a map of Taiping County, with elements representing Shigui Lake, Mount Crane, and the Plantation. They deduced that the "Ban" character marked their mother's burial site. Jing Kan and Ai Sixi went to his mother's tomb, searching for clues about Banfang Tea.
Ai Sixi suggested that perhaps the clues were buried with their mother, but Jing Kan affirmed that he had personally buried everything and found no such items. Ai Sixi then suggested searching in a nearby creek, but Jing Kan felt they were misinterpreting his mother's intentions. Ai Sixi then remembered another nearby tomb, belonging to an old man. They quickly went to Mr. An, asking if Jing Kan's mother had left him anything related to Banfang Tea's recipe.
Mr. An stated she had only left the tea trees outside and no specific methods. He recalled that discussing Banfang Tea always made her melancholic because she missed Jing Kan's father. She had told him that the inspiration for Banfang Tea came to her and Jing Kan's father while reading the "Seven Bowls of Tea" poem. Jing Kan and Ai Sixi realized that Guiwei's recited version of the poem ("dries the throat") differed from the original ("moistens the throat").
Mr. An confirmed that "drying" was indeed a crucial step in Jinyu Tea's pan-firing process, alongside withering and water removal. They concluded that the Banfang Tea method was likely hidden within the painting, with clues embedded in the poem. Meanwhile, Cuiying, determined to win Yunzhu, brought him wine laced with a sedative, telling him that Xue Muyun and Mai Youyou would arrive later. Yunzhu refused the drink, stating he never consumed alcohol.
Xue Muyun, having heard Yunzhu's voice, arrived and dismissed Cuiying. When Yunzhu again declined to drink, Xue Muyun toasted him herself, unknowingly consuming the drugged wine. She drank a second glass. Under the influence of the sedative, Xue Muyun became increasingly bold, attempting to embrace and kiss Yunzhu while asking him to teach her dance moves. A servant, witnessing the scene, alerted Wei Junyi, who promptly arrived to find Xue Muyun acting inappropriately. Wei Junyi confronted Xue Muyun, who then accused the servant of bringing Wei Junyi.
