Hilarious Family 2 Episode 19 Recap
> Hilarious Family 2 Recap
Lin Donglin gave Xiaoyu some money, telling her he might not be able to visit the pastry shop as often and she should be careful with expenses. Xiaoyu, however, felt their partnership was too secretive, like a clandestine affair. Lin Donglin explained that he, as a matrilocal husband, could not let his wife, Jing Zhenzhu, discover he was running a small business to earn extra money; if she found out, he wouldn't get a single penny.
Unbeknownst to them, Lyu Jiao E was nearby, shopping, and saw them. She mistakenly believed Lin Donglin was involved with another woman. Later, Lyu Jiao E confronted Lin Donglin about seeing him with a woman at Sining House, but he denied it, accusing her of misidentifying him. Lyu Jiao E, still suspicious, vowed to find proof. Lyu Jiao E covertly investigated and discovered Lin Donglin's pastry shop. She confronted him and Xiaoyu, then demanded a share of the profits.
Initially asking for 20%, she soon increased it to 30%, proudly announcing herself as the chief disciple of a renowned pastry master from Mifang Pastry in Suzhou. Lin Donglin tried to offer her pastries to keep her quiet, but Lyu Jiao E insisted on money. She threatened to expose their secret business to Jing Zhenzhu if they didn't comply.
Lin Donglin tried to calm her, and Lyu Jiao E eventually left, promising to keep their secret at home in exchange for her share. Xiaoyu was furious, demanding that Lyu Jiao E's share come from Lin Donglin's portion, as it had nothing to do with her. Meanwhile, Wei Shuangxi visited Ruan Ling at the tea shop, bringing him pastries. Their previous animosity seemed to have vanished, replaced by caring words.
As they enjoyed their sweet moment, Guiwei appeared, expressing concern for Wei Shuangxi's safety around Ruan Ling and urging them to maintain their distance. Despite Guiwei's intervention, Wei Shuangxi and Ruan Ling continued to exchange meaningful glances, silently conveying their affection. Guiwei tried to persuade Wei Shuangxi to report Ruan Ling to the yamen, but she casually dismissed the idea, mentioning their lunch plans. Feeling increasingly isolated, Guiwei was left to himself.
Later, Ruan Ling picked up a zither, and Guiwei, alarmed, warned him not to play it. Ruan Ling made it resonate, causing Guiwei to visibly flinch and cover his ears, clearly distressed by the sound. Lin Donglin and Xiaoyu were busy at their pastry shop when Pi Laowu and his gang arrived, attempting to extort money by faking an injury after deliberately tripping over a bench. Xiaoyu, unwilling to be bullied, fought back and feigned injury herself.
The dispute escalated to the yamen. The Advisor, recognizing Pi Laowu as a habitual troublemaker, initially fined Lin Donglin five taels for operating in the street and dismissed Pi Laowu. However, upon learning that Lin Donglin was Jing Zhenzhu's matrilocal husband, the Advisor abruptly changed his ruling. He had Pi Laowu and his gang sent to the Imperial Tea Plantation for disturbing the peace.
Then, the Advisor turned to Lin Donglin, demanding fifty taels for "resolving such a major issue," threatening to impose the initial fine, shut down the shop, and make him pay Pi Laowu's medical expenses if he refused. Lin Donglin, without the money and unable to ask his family, returned to Xiaoyu. Xiaoyu was excited, expecting compensation from the extortionists. Lin Donglin explained that they now owed fifty taels.
Xiaoyu vehemently refused to use their savings, which were earmarked for renting a larger shop, arguing that their small business would always be vulnerable if they didn't expand. Lin Donglin pleaded with her, highlighting that if Zhenzhu discovered his secret, their entire venture would be jeopardized. Xiaoyu retorted that it was his problem, not hers. Left with no other choice, Lin Donglin went to seek help from Lyu Jiao E.
Lyu Jiao E found Lin Donglin agitated, chewing on tea leaves. She feigned sympathy and offered to help him raise the fifty taels, boasting about her connections with wealthy young masters. Lin Donglin, desperate, reiterated the absolute necessity of keeping their secret from Jing Zhenzhu, his mother-in-law, and Grandmother. Just then, Jing Zhenzhu overheard part of their conversation. She confronted Lin Donglin, accusing him of disloyalty.
Cornered, Lin Donglin confessed everything: his secret pastry shop with a relative, Lyu Jiao E's discovery, the blackmail attempt, and the Advisor's exorbitant demand. Zhenzhu sternly warned him that if she ever caught him engaging in underhanded dealings again, she would make him suffer and expel him from the Jing family. Later that evening, Wei Shuangxi and Ruan Ling were drinking and chatting. It was Ruan Ling's birthday, and Wei Shuangxi had brought him a gift.
However, Ruan Ling commented on the gift's perceived overpricing, explaining in detail why he thought it was only worth a fraction of what Wei Shuangxi claimed to have paid. Wei Shuangxi, feeling her carefully chosen gift was being devalued and her intentions questioned, grew angry. As their argument escalated, Guiwei suddenly appeared. Wei Shuangxi, still upset, seized the opportunity to complain that Ruan Ling had bullied her. Guiwei, taking her side, threatened to report Ruan Ling to the authorities.
Wei Shuangxi then stormed off in a rage. Lyu Jiao E then gathered the housemaids, delivering an inspiring speech about seizing business opportunities and investing in her "Little Pastries" venture. She convinced them that life was a business, and success belonged to the brave. She explained that for a total investment of fifty taels, they could become co-owners.
Despite initial hesitation and concerns about their meager monthly earnings, the maids were swayed by her vision of escaping a lifetime as servants and becoming pastry shop owners. They eagerly contributed their savings, some offering five taels, others ten. Lyu Jiao E collected the fifty taels. Xiaoyu, surprisingly, thanked Lyu Jiao E for the money.
However, their newfound partnership quickly devolved into a heated argument over who held the most authority in the business, with Lyu Jiao E asserting her claim as the financier, and Xiaoyu emphasizing her culinary skills. Lin Donglin desperately tried to calm the escalating quarrel. Later, Ruan Ling, having carefully mended the cup that was broken during his previous argument with Wei Shuangxi, sought her out.
He apologized sincerely, admitting his foolishness for focusing on the cup's monetary value rather than her feelings. Wei Shuangxi, no longer angry, accepted his apology and even invited him to her room to mend her other broken wine cups. Unbeknownst to them, Guiwei overheard their conversation. He misconstrued "to mend" (é””) as "to cohabit" (å±…), believing that Ruan Ling and Wei Shuangxi were now in a romantic relationship. Guiwei felt a deep pang of betrayal and loneliness, convinced he had been deceived by both of them and had lost his supposed ally.
