Hu Tong Episode 27 Recap
> Hu Tong Recap
Kong Jianguo performed a captivating rendition of "Feng Huan Chao," enthralling Tian Zao, Xiulan, and Chunxi. Seeing that Kong Jianguo had not lost the singing skills he taught him, Tong Xiaoting was moved to tears. He then invited Kong Jianguo to his room for a private conversation. Suo Qian's antique shop officially opened, with Suo Lanqi and Juanzi lending a hand.
Kong Jianguo purchased several items, remarking they were what his master liked, and playfully stating he was doing his part for his "brother-in-law" Suo Qian. Sun Xiaomin and Lin Weidong also attended, with Sun Xiaomin commending Suo Qian to operate the business with integrity, prompting Suo Qian to liken her to Tian Zao. Kong Jianguo, in turn, advised Sun Xiaomin to speak less given her pregnancy.
Back home, Lin Weimin waited for Lin Weidong, attempting to invite him to a Western dinner. Lin Weidong, suspecting an ulterior motive, directly asked Lin Weimin his purpose. Lin Weimin revealed his desire to partner with Kong Jianguo and asked Lin Weidong to have Sun Xiaomin facilitate an introduction. Lin Weidong refused, explaining that Kong Jianguo was Huozi's uncle, not Xiaomin's, and that even Huozi's requests to go into business with him had been denied.
Undeterred, Lin Weimin decided to seek out Sun Xiaomin himself. Lin Weidong encouraged Sun Xiaomin to stay home and rest during her pregnancy, but she found herself bored. Tian Zao, feeling overwhelmed by increasingly complex neighborhood disputes and the burden of writing reports, suggested that Sun Xiaomin could help with paperwork at the Neighborhood Committee. Sun Xiaomin enthusiastically agreed. Soon, Wang Xin and Xue Qing arrived at the Neighborhood Committee with their mothers, embroiled in a furious argument.
Wang Xin recounted how he had married Xue Qing after she claimed to be a virgin and he paid a 10,000 yuan bride price. Two years later, Xue Qing became pregnant but suffered a miscarriage. Wang Xin accused her of having a "habitual abortion" due to a promiscuous past that she had concealed. He demanded a divorce and the return of the bride price. Xue Qing's mother, however, adamantly refused, demanding compensation for her daughter's "loss of youth."
With both families trading insults, Tian Zao struggled to restore order and eventually sent them home, promising further mediation. Later, Sun Xiaomin discussed the intractable divorce case with Tian Zao, suggesting they involve a lawyer. She then informed Lin Weidong of Tian Zao's exhausting work. Lin Weimin then arrived at Sun Xiaomin's home, reiterating his request for an introduction to Kong Jianguo, and this time, Sun Xiaomin readily agreed to contact him.
In a subsequent mediation session involving legal advisors, Tian Zao explained to Wang Xin's family that legally, the bride price was a premarital gift and might not be recoverable. However, Wang Xin remained unyielding.
When Tian Zao and Sun Xiaomin spoke with Xue Qing, she countered, accusing Wang Xin of having deceived her about his wealth—claiming his father was a company boss when he was just a driver, their wedding home was rented, and he was a temporary worker with significant debts. Both parties remained firm in their accusations. Given the mutual deceptions, Sun Xiaomin advised Tian Zao that a peaceful, negotiated settlement was crucial.
Thanks to Sun Xiaomin's introduction, Lin Weimin met with Kong Jianguo. Kong Jianguo acknowledged Lin Weimin's parents, Lin Zheng and Li Hongying, and their past kindness. Lin Weimin then extended an invitation to a seafood restaurant to discuss business. During their meal, Lin Weimin proposed a trade partnership, but Kong Jianguo revealed his true intention: to invest in real estate in Beijing.
He offered to provide the funds and highlighted the valuable connections of Lin Weimin's parents—Lin Zheng, a former city bureau leader, and Li Hongying, a former street office director. Kong Jianguo proposed that Lin Weimin use these relationships to acquire idle factory land for their development, promising him a share in the company for securing the land. Lin Weimin agreed to this proposition. During this time, Sun Xiaomin sought Lin Weidong's advice on the Wang Xin-Xue Qing dispute.
Lin Weidong suggested that since they were married, Xue Qing might be obligated to share Wang Xin's debts. Sun Xiaomin found this insight helpful and called a lawyer to consult. Armed with new legal information, Tian Zao and Sun Xiaomin approached Xue Qing's family again. Tian Zao presented a list of Wang Xin's substantial debts incurred during the marriage, explaining that Xue Qing could be legally liable for them if the divorce went to court.
Faced with this, Xue Qing's family agreed to return the 10,000 yuan bride price, on the condition that the divorce agreement explicitly state she would not be responsible for any of Wang Xin's debts. Tian Zao and Sun Xiaomin then presented these terms to Wang Xin and his mother, who reluctantly agreed to the compromise. The dispute was finally resolved.
With the matter settled, Tian Zao strongly encouraged Sun Xiaomin to take over her role as the Neighborhood Committee Director, arguing that younger, educated individuals were better suited for the job. Meanwhile, Kong Jianguo and Lin Weimin found a suitable abandoned factory. Lin Weimin pleaded with his father, Lin Zheng, to use his connections to help acquire the land.
Worried about his wife Li Hongying's disapproval of using backdoor methods, Lin Zheng was hesitant but eventually gave in to his son's pestering. Shortly after, their real estate company was established, and they successfully acquired the property. Months later, Sun Xiaomin gave birth to her daughter. She was then democratically elected as the new Director of the Sanhai Neighborhood Committee, while Tian Zao officially retired. The district mayor presented Tian Zao with a commendation, praising her decades of dedicated service.
Subsequently, Sun Xiaomin proudly took an oath to join the Communist Party of China, pledging to serve the people wholeheartedly. Tian Zao reminded her to always embody the party's purpose of serving the people. Tian Zao and Li Hongying then accompanied Sun Xiaomin on a visit through the neighborhood, symbolically entrusting her with the responsibilities of her new role.
