Marvelous Women Episode 28 Recap
> Marvelous Women Recap
Ren Rufeng brought a woman selling velvet flowers to the Qingyue Workshop, attempting to explain a misunderstanding to Shu Fang. However, Shu Fang was extremely busy, entangled with the affairs of the Qingyue Workshop/silk weaving mill, and consequently had no time or desire to engage with him. Ren Rufeng tried various methods to appease Shu Fang, including preparing a lavish meal and waiting for her all night, but she continued to ignore him.
The entire Ren family became aware of their dispute, but Shen Cuixi remained unperturbed, calmly painting. When Zeng Baoqin expressed concern about Shu Fang and Ren Rufeng's ongoing conflict and the potential for their feelings to fade over time, Shen Cuixi felt it was best to give them some space and time, and even asked Zeng Baoqin to teach her painting for k'o-ssu patterns. Meanwhile, Shu Yan, who was fond of Ru Yi, approached Ren Xuetang to arrange their marriage.
Seven years prior, Ren Xuetang had promised to act as the officiant for Shu Yan in this matter. Ren Xuetang, with Ru Yi present, announced the betrothal of Ru Yi to Shu Yan in front of Shen Cuixi and Zeng Baoqin. Ru Yi reacted with extreme anger. She possessed a free-spirited personality, abhorring any form of restriction.
While she had genuinely liked Shu Yan previously, her affection had waned after he began lecturing her about rules and showing disapproval of her behavior. She vehemently stated she would not marry someone she did not like and was particularly infuriated that Shu Yan had asked Ren Xuetang to arrange the marriage, viewing it as a constraint. Ren Xuetang insisted that according to rules, Ru Yi could not object to a betrothal he had made.
In a dramatic act of refusal, Ru Yi publicly cut off her hair, declaring she would rather become a nun or die than marry Shu Yan. Seeing this, Shen Cuixi intervened, advising Ren Xuetang to call off the engagement since Ru Yi was unwilling. Ren Xuetang agreed, canceling the marriage.
Shu Yan was confused by Ru Yi's fierce resistance, explaining that his intention in seeking Ren Xuetang's help was to ensure a proper marriage arrangement, with parental consent and a matchmaker, to prevent Ru Yi from being ridiculed. Ren Xuetang clarified that neither Ru Yi nor Shu Yan was inherently wrong. He explained that Ru Yi, having grown up in an institute, had never learned strict rules and possessed an open, straightforward personality that could not tolerate constraints.
Shu Yan, on the other hand, was someone who imposed rules, creating the fundamental conflict between them. Ren Xuetang further explained that what Ru Yi truly desired was a partner willing to break societal rules for her, a feat Shu Yan, despite his deep affection for Ru Yi, was incapable of doing. Later, while Zeng Baoqin combed Ru Yi's hair, Ru Yi reiterated her refusal to marry Shu Yan, yet she cried more sorrowfully than anyone else.
Ren Rufeng, in frustration, blamed Shen Cuixi for allowing Shu Fang to manage the family's business, causing Shu Fang to be incessantly busy and making their own misunderstandings difficult to resolve. Shen Cuixi, however, believed that one should not only think of oneself. Misinterpreting this, Ren Rufeng decided to focus on showing utmost care and consideration for Shu Fang. He delivered pastries, which Shu Fang, having already eaten lunch, kept for later.
To avoid disturbing her work, Ren Rufeng waited outside the silk weaving mill. One night, Shu Fang nearly fell in the dark, prompting Ren Rufeng to light numerous lanterns the next day to illuminate her way, despite the mill's strict rules against lights due to fire hazards. A gust of wind caused the lanterns to catch fire, nearly starting a blaze. Shu Fang scolded Ren Rufeng for being childish, leaving him deeply frustrated and depressed.
Walking on the street the next day, Ren Rufeng encountered Shu Fang outside a casino, where she was waiting for Wang Yuanwai to collect overdue payments for the Ren family. Wang Yuanwai, taking advantage of Shu Fang being a woman, not only refused to pay but also insulted her. Seeing this, Ren Rufeng stepped forward to defend his wife, teaching Wang Yuanwai a lesson and successfully recovering the outstanding debt.
Impressed by his effectiveness, Shu Fang suggested Ren Rufeng take permanent responsibility for debt collection and similar tasks. However, Ren Rufeng refused, complaining that Shu Fang was forcing him to do things he disliked. He was still haunted by the shadow of the Zhang Biao incident and feared bringing trouble upon the Ren family. Shu Fang, angered by his lack of ambition, then ignored him. Feeling helpless, Ren Rufeng sought Zeng Baoqin's advice.
Zeng Baoqin suggested he give Shu Fang cosmetics and jewelry to appease her, and then they could sit down and talk calmly. She understood that Shu Fang's actions stemmed from a desire for Ren Rufeng to be ambitious and achieve something. Ren Rufeng mentioned Shu Fang's constant sarcasm, which Zeng Baoqin explained was a sign of her anger, reinforcing the need to appease her first.
Ren Rufeng tried several things to please Shu Fang, but she remained angry, even telling him to "get lost." Still distraught, Ren Rufeng eventually took Shu Mo's advice and prepared a romantic fireworks display. Shu Fang was initially touched by the gesture. However, the next day, Shu Fang announced her decision to move out of the Ren family home.
She explained that she had been tirelessly busy, her feet never touching the ground, and Ren Rufeng had never considered helping her or understanding her needs. She expressed deep disappointment in his lack of ambition, stating that she had hoped they could work together to improve the Ren family, but his lack of progress made her unwilling to continue their relationship. Ren Rufeng, in despair, was then counseled by Shen Cuixi.
Shen Cuixi encouraged him to overcome his internal hurdle, assuring him that no one in the Ren family blamed him. She reminded him that Shu Fang had married him not for his status, but because he had helped Shen Cuixi uphold the Qingyue Workshop and the Ren family during their most difficult times, when they were on the verge of starvation. Now that Ren Xuetang had returned, Ren Rufeng was acting idle.
Shen Cuixi acknowledged his self-reproach over the Zhang Biao incident, but urged him to realize that separating from Shu Fang because of an unresolved past trauma would be unfair to his mother, to Shu Fang, and most of all, to himself. She advised him that while there might be gossip, one's life is their own, not dictated by others' opinions. These words helped Ren Rufeng resolve his internal conflict.
