Hilarious Family 2 Episode 26 Recap
> Hilarious Family 2 Recap
Ruan Ling went to find Ai Sixi, but she had already left for Songxi County, drawn by reports of a fine tea tree. He anxiously shared his concern with Jing Kan, explaining that Xue Muyun’s gaze was unsettling, likening it to a woman looking at her man. He had often said she treated him like a confidant, but now he believed she saw him as her sweetheart.
Ruan Ling confessed that he wished to end his plan prematurely, and Jing Kan readily agreed, reminding him that the plan was his to begin with. Initially, Ruan Ling considered retrieving his belongings from Xue Muyun's shop but decided against it, fearing further complications. He told Jing Kan, "I don't want it." Meanwhile, Ai Sixi diligently harvested exquisite tea leaves to assist Jing Kan in creating exceptional tea.
Guiwei brought back the limited quantity of fresh tea leaves, explaining that fifteen farmers had collected them all morning. He inquired if Jing Kan would start pan-firing them, but Jing Kan noted they were too damp and needed to be aired until noon the next day due to the humid weather. Later that night, Ruan Ling decided he couldn't leave without the cup Wei Shuangxi had given him. Despite his earlier decision, he felt compelled to retrieve it.
Disguising himself, he returned to Xue Muyun's shop, but was apprehended by her men and brought before her. Xue Muyun confronted Ruan Ling, asking how long he planned to avoid her. She admitted to wanting to talk to him, revealing deep-seated secrets about her life. She recounted her past as a female opera performer, who, alongside her senior brother, a comedian, once performed in an opera troupe.
Her father later married her into the Jing family, and she chose not to leave with her senior brother when he asked, never seeing him again. She expressed that despite accumulating wealth—multiple properties, tea plantations, and land—it no longer brought her joy, calling it self-deception. She confessed that Ruan Ling strikingly resembled her senior brother, which was why she was drawn to him.
After sharing these personal revelations, she pleaded with Ruan Ling not to disclose her secrets to anyone, and he promised his discretion. Offering a parting gift, Xue Muyun asked Ruan Ling what he desired before leaving the shop. Ruan Ling stated he wanted nothing but for her to forget him and not hold a grudge.
Xue Muyun then granted his departure, reflecting that these days had made her feel young again, allowing her to embark on a path she had once feared. Ruan Ling thanked her and left, wishing her well. Xue Muyun watched his departing back, her heart full of pain, yet helpless. Meanwhile, Guiwei worried about the freshly picked tea leaves being sabotaged.
Unable to sleep, he placed the precious tea leaves by his bed for safety, but woke up horrified the next morning to find them all reddish, having accidentally slept on them. With the Tea Contest approaching, Guiwei, fearing punishment, quickly pan-fired the reddish leaves. When Jing Kan and Ai Sixi arrived, they were shocked by his actions, Jing Kan feeling a sense of despair.
Guiwei tried to explain his actions, admitting he pan-fired the leaves to prevent them from being discarded, and offered Jing Kan and Ai Sixi to taste the tea, claiming it was good. Ai Sixi initially chastised Guiwei for his carelessness, but then Wei Shuangxi arrived and, tasting the tea, found its flavor surprisingly pleasant. The tea even attracted butterflies, rekindling hope in Jing Kan. Jing Kan promptly took the remaining tea leaves and meticulously crafted them.
After tasting the finished tea with Ai Sixi, they were pleasantly surprised by its unique and exquisite flavor. Jing Kan, inspired, named the tea "Anzhou Honey," referencing his mother's poem, which he recited as "Anzhou is infinitely good, honey ripened, missing home in indolence." Ai Sixi suggested "Yueji Tea," linking it to her inn and her mantra of self-love, but Jing Kan affirmed the name "Anzhou Honey."
Upon his return, Ruan Ling joined Wei Shuangxi and Guiwei for a meal and drinks. Ruan Ling expressed pity for Xue Muyun, describing her as lonely, which piqued Wei Shuangxi’s jealousy. Wei Shuangxi feigned disinterest, prompting Ruan Ling to directly ask if he held a place in Wei Shuangxi's heart. Guiwei attempted to leave the awkward situation but was asked by Ruan Ling to stay as a witness. Wei Shuangxi avoided a direct answer, leading to an argument.
Ruan Ling accused Wei Shuangxi of being unreasonable for not giving a clear answer, insisting he only wanted a clear commitment. He then brought up Wei Shuangxi's gender, asking if she shouldn't care more as a woman, but Wei Shuangxi dismissed this, stating it had nothing to do with gender but was about individual choices, and reminded Ruan Ling of their past intimate encounters, implying Ruan Ling was the instigator.
Wei Shuangxi then left to get warm water for Ruan Ling, instructing Guiwei to help. However, Ruan Ling called after Wei Shuangxi, demanding she stop, feeling his request for a clear status was justified. Meanwhile, Jing Zhenzhu, still upset with Lin Donglin, spent her days drinking with friends. Her friends grew tired of her constant outings and tried to persuade her to reconcile with Lin Donglin. They found Lin Donglin at the tavern one day.
He had ordered Zhenzhu’s favorite dishes in an attempt to make amends. However, Zhenzhu, in a fit of pique, instructed the waiter to remove all the dishes Lin Donglin had ordered. Her friends tried to mediate, but Zhenzhu, still angry, ignored them and complained about Lin Donglin’s faults. Her friends eventually left. Alone with Zhenzhu, Lin Donglin entered the room, hoping to talk things over and reconcile.
He tried to explain that his actions were out of consideration for her, to bring her honor, but Zhenzhu viewed his newfound wealth and gestures as an insult, believing she now had no "use" for him. He reiterated his love and commitment, stating he married into the Jing family because he loved her and wanted to be with her forever, although his aunt also benefited from their union. Zhenzhu, however, insisted his actions were humiliating, seeing his care as "charity."
She stubbornly ordered him to leave. That night, a drunken Jing Zhenzhu returned home. Xue Muyun, seeing her daughter’s state, was heartbroken and urged her to make up with Lin Donglin. Zhenzhu, however, poured out her long-held resentment, recalling her childhood of watching other children enjoy their fathers’ company, while she lived in fear of her own drunken father. She asserted that a companion is not always necessary for a good life, revealing deep emotional scars.
Xue Muyun apologized for not providing a warm home, but Zhenzhu blamed her mother’s character for her father's behavior and her own unhappiness. Elsewhere, Ruan Ling felt dejected and unmotivated due to Wei Shuangxi’s lack of clear affirmation. Guiwei, learning of the situation, encouraged Ruan Ling to persevere, telling him that a woman needs to be told, not left to guess.
Gathering his courage, Ruan Ling directly confronted Wei Shuangxi, openly expressing his desire for them to grow old together and presenting her with a jade pendant as a symbol of his commitment. Wei Shuangxi finally admitted her affection for Ruan Ling and her willingness to spend their lives together. However, she also stated they couldn't marry, as she valued freedom and feared that marital responsibilities would constrain them.
She explained that marriage could bring more difficulties, arguments, and resentment, citing a past unhappy marriage as her reason for not wanting to repeat it. Ruan Ling, though dismayed by this new hurdle, reaffirmed his sincere desire to continue their journey together, no matter how long, but also acknowledged her feelings if she wished to end things. Wei Shuangxi stated she understood. Ruan Ling, in turn, expressed his understanding and promised not to pester her anymore.
