Hilarious Family 2 Episode 4 Recap
> Hilarious Family 2 Recap
Xue Muyun and her son-in-law, Donglin, discussed the upcoming clan meeting to select a new chief manager. Donglin believed Luo Zhusi, with her ruthless nature and strong current standing, was the most likely candidate, while Jing Kan was merely an inexperienced youth who couldn't compete with her. Donglin suggested aligning with the powerful, but Xue Muyun disagreed, recalling past negative experiences with Luo Zhusi and refusing to support her.
Throughout their conversation, Jing Zhenzhu repeatedly interjected, demanding to be chosen as chief manager, even offering Xue Muyun a shop if she supported her. Neither Xue Muyun nor Donglin seriously considered Zhenzhu for the role. Xue Muyun declared her intention to "give Luo Zhusi a lesson," determined not to let their family be seen as pushovers.
Donglin, fearing the consequences, tried to caution her, but Xue Muyun was resolute, calling them "chicks" for even considering fighting against Luo Zhusi, whom she likened to a weasel. She adamantly stated she would vote her own way and stormed off. Donglin then decided to go and explain Xue Muyun's erratic behavior to Luo Zhusi himself, hoping to prevent further irreversible conflict between the two branches of the family.
When Xue Muyun met Luo Zhusi, she feigned strong support, promising their family's two votes. However, she soon suggested that once Luo Zhusi became chief manager, she should hire a list of "capable guys" Xue Muyun had prepared. Luo Zhusi, maintaining a calm demeanor, rejected this, stating such a move would be "inappropriate" and "against family rules," especially for the chief manager.
Xue Muyun, incensed by the rejection and the mention of family rules, retaliated by reminding Luo Zhusi that she herself had already placed many of her own people in Jinyu Tea shops over the years, and that Jing Kan and his pregnant wife were the legitimate heirs of Jinyu Tea, and she could choose to vote for Jing Kan instead. Luo Zhusi merely reiterated that she had no opinion on who Xue Muyun chose to vote for.
Frustrated, Xue Muyun left, sarcastically wishing Luo Zhusi well and abandoning her offer of support. After Xue Muyun's departure, Luo Zhusi's composure broke, revealing her anger at Xue Muyun's perceived attempt to "get her hands on Jinyu Tea." She instructed her maid, Cuiying, to arrange a meeting with Sixth Uncle. Meanwhile, Jing Zhenzhu approached her grandmother, Wei Junyi, also lobbying for the chief manager position. She asked for Wei Junyi's support, promising it would be a decision without regret.
Wei Junyi then revealed that there would be no voting, surprising Zhenzhu, who had spent much time pondering potential outcomes. Wei Junyi described the Jing family's dire financial state, highlighting that the chief manager role was not as enviable as it seemed. She then pressed Zhenzhu on her plans for managing Jinyu Tea if she were chosen.
Zhenzhu enthusiastically proposed diversifying the business by selling wine (claiming it could be watered down or turned into vinegar if unsold), opening an arena for various animal fights to attract addicted customers, and eventually establishing a pawnshop to offload unsold goods for profit. Wei Junyi listened, then sarcastically called Zhenzhu a "business genius." That evening, Ai Sixi and Jing Kan were in their room.
Ai Sixi complained about the bitter taste of Jinyu Tea's leaves, which she found lacking in fragrance, aftertaste, and throat-feel, and having a coarse water flow. Jing Kan was surprised by her knowledge of tea. Ai Sixi then presented Jing Kan with a hand-drawn "price list" for her services, detailing various tasks and their corresponding silver fees, such as talking with Grandmother for five qian or comforting Jing Kan for five qian.
Jing Kan was taken aback by her mercenary approach, questioning why talking to Luo Zhusi cost more than talking to his grandmother. Ai Sixi retorted that no one else would help him, and that having children would also come at an extra cost. Jing Kan, despite his shock, agreed to the terms, signing the "contract" by biting his finger, while Ai Sixi used a prepared stamp.
Ai Sixi clarified their relationship was, ostensibly, that of a married couple, but in reality, "boss and assistant," a point Jing Kan understood. She then playfully ordered him to pour her water, stating that her "fake pregnancy" (which she had previously announced) meant he should be cautious to protect his future. Jing Kan complied, but Ai Sixi found the tea too bitter. Luo Zhusi met with Sixth Uncle to garner his support.
She expressed her frustration, stating that if Wei Junyi insisted on appointing Jing Kan, an inexperienced manager, she intended to establish her own business, which Sixth Uncle understood as a desire for a family separation.
Luo Zhusi voiced her regret for such a move, knowing it would disrespect her late husband Beishui, her father-in-law, and the family ancestors, but she felt that Jinyu Tea, despite its grand facade, was crumbling, and giving it to Jing Kan would only hasten its demise. Sixth Uncle sympathized, acknowledging her suitability for the role.
He then introduced Chief Tan from Laolongtan Tea, explaining that many Jing clan elders held shares in Laolongtan and Chief Tan's influence could secure support for Luo Zhusi's separation and new venture. Luo Zhusi immediately discerned that Chief Tan would not help for free. Chief Tan then revealed his condition: he desired the unique tea pan-firing method of Jinyu Tea.
After Chief Tan left, Cuiying questioned why Luo Zhusi was still holding back when the Jing family seemed unconcerned about her. Luo Zhusi explained that giving away the pan-firing method would deprive her son, Aji, of a crucial skill for his future.
Cuiying informed her that seven of the twelve Jinyu Tea shop managers and assistants were willing to join her if she separated, though they would need a new tea plantation since the current one belonged to the Jing family. Luo Zhusi instructed Cuiying to tell these seven managers that if Wei Junyi made Jing Kan chief tomorrow, she would immediately demand a separation. After these arrangements, Luo Zhusi's thoughts drifted to the past.
She recalled a childhood incident where silver went missing from the household. Luo Zhusi falsely accused young Jing Kan of theft. Despite Jing Kan's protests, Luo Zhusi, wielding significant power within the family, ensured he was punished. Jing Kan's mother, Concubine Qin, tried to replace the missing silver, but this only led to her being further framed by Luo Zhusi. As a result, Jing Kan was forcibly separated from his mother and sent away from the family home.
This traumatic experience fueled a silent vow within Jing Kan to rise again and avenge his mother. Ai Sixi accompanied Jing Kan to his mother Concubine Qin's grave, praising its beauty and expressing a wish to be buried in such a lovely place. Jing Kan shared that it was his mother's favorite tea mountain. Ai Sixi asked about Luo Zhusi's involvement in his mother's death. Jing Kan clarified that his mother committed suicide but insisted Luo Zhusi was undeniably responsible.
Ai Sixi shared some food she "borrowed" from his grandfather's excess supply, emphasizing she took from an excess in a food box, not directly from his plate, and showing respect to his mother's memory as his elder. She then pointed out some camellia oleifera flowers, explaining their unique characteristics like fuzz on their twigs and the "holding the offspring" phenomenon where flowers and fruits appear simultaneously. Jing Kan was impressed by her knowledge. Suddenly, they heard cries for help.
Jing Kan was wary, warning of bandits who often feigned distress to rob and kill. However, Ai Sixi, undeterred and even excited by the prospect of adventure, insisted they investigate. They found an elderly man, Mr. An, dangling precariously from a cliff edge. They quickly fashioned a rope from a sturdy branch and managed to pull him to safety. Mr. An explained he had fallen while trying to collect some wild tea from the cliff.
Ai Sixi, unaware of its value, dismissed it as "lousy tea leaves," which offended Mr. An, who called her an "idiot." Jing Kan noted Mr. An's ungrateful tone, but Ai Sixi brushed it off as a good deed done for his mother's sake. The next day, the clan meeting officially began. Jing Kan arrived late, dressed in formal attire for what he considered his "big day."
Ai Sixi, who had previously advised him to put on a show of leaving, was told by Jing Kan not to, as it would "degrade him." To their surprise, the elderly man they had rescued from the cliff, Mr. An, was among the esteemed clan relatives present. Wei Junyi commenced the proceedings by acknowledging their common ancestry and, as the trustee of Jing Dayou's (Jing Kan's grandfather) will, gathered the family to witness the succession of Jinyu Tea.
The will was then read, officially naming "Luo Zhusi, wife of my second son," as the new chief manager of Jinyu Tea. Jing Kan was deeply disappointed by the revelation, while Luo Zhusi, though surprised, composed herself and vowed to diligently manage Jinyu Tea, working hard without complaint, being diligent and frugal, abiding by rules, being selfless, and making the family business prosper under Wei Junyi's leadership.
After Luo Zhusi was seated, Wei Junyi announced a new distribution of the twelve Jinyu Tea shops, stating that the burden on a single chief manager was unfair. She proposed distributing the shops among the households to encourage a shared understanding of managing the business. Luo Zhusi deferred to Wei Junyi's decision. Wei Junyi then assigned nine shops to Luo Zhusi and the remaining three to Xue Muyun.
Jing Kan, seeing himself without a share, started to leave in disappointment, but Mr. An intervened. Mr. An reminded everyone of Concubine Qin's significant contributions to Jinyu Tea's success through her "Banfang Tea." He argued that with Jing Kan's return and his new family, it was opportune to give the young man an opportunity to develop his business skills. When asked for his opinion, Sixth Uncle agreed. Mr. An then suggested that Jing Kan should also be given a shop.
Luo Zhusi, implying Jing Kan's lack of interest in tea, questioned the idea, but Ai Sixi quickly interjected, insisting Jing Kan was interested. Mr. An then proposed assigning Jing Kan the long-dilapidated and deserted shop at Anping Bridge, framing it as a trial. He presented this as a "casual suggestion" that could be withdrawn if Luo Zhusi found it "inappropriate."
Luo Zhusi, publicly maintaining impartiality, agreed to the proposal, stating that Jing Kan was also her son and she would follow Mr. An's advice. Wei Junyi concluded the meeting, calling upon everyone to contribute to Jinyu Tea's future, and dismissed the attendees. As they left, Jing Kan remarked to Ai Sixi that it had turned out "pretty good."
