Always on the Move Episode 26 Recap
> Always on the Move Recap
Ma Kui sternly forbids Wang Xin from pursuing a relationship with his daughter, Ma Yan. Wang Xin asserts that Ma Yan is already his girlfriend, which enrages Ma Kui, who threatens him. Ma Yan arrives home and, sensing the tension, pretends to be angry with Wang Xin for upsetting her father, which seems to appease Ma Kui somewhat. Ma Yan tells Wang Xin about her recent trip south, explaining she met Little Wenzhou while attending a classmate's wedding.
Little Wenzhou, noting her limited capital, suggested she try selling buttons and connected her with a factory in Wenzhou. Ma Yan describes the south as eye-opening – people are fashionable and energetic, streets are filled with bustling merchants and buyers, and the button factories produce vast quantities with better patterns and designs than they see locally. Inspired, she decides to quit her stable saleswoman job and start a street stall selling buttons.
She knows Ma Kui will object and plans to hide it from him initially. She asks Wang Xin for seed money, explaining that she wants to earn money not just for herself but also to prove their worth to her father, who looks down on Wang Xin for being poor; they can build a future together. Wang Xin agrees to contribute his savings. Ma Yan selects a secluded spot for her stall to avoid Ma Kui's detection.
Wang Xin helps her advertise her buttons, even singing a promotional jingle. Customers soon begin to arrive. Ma Yan takes sick leave from her job to run her stall. When her superior, Mr. Song, visits the house to check on her, Ma Kui learns she hasn't been to work for a week. Later, Ma Kui finds Ma Yan at her hidden stall. He confronts her angrily and orders her to pack up and go home.
Ma Yan refuses, wanting to continue selling, which further infuriates Ma Kui. In a fit of rage, he flips her stall, scattering her buttons. Defeated, Ma Yan returns home with him. At home, she insists she feels relieved now that the secret is out and wants to continue doing business, stating it's her "career." She argues that others are making money this way and there's nothing wrong with it.
Ma Kui vehemently opposes her, calling her foolish for abandoning her stable, lifelong job for a risky venture. Ma Yan reveals she has a "mentor," Little Wenzhou, whom she met on the train. Ma Kui dismisses the idea entirely and orders her to return to her previous job. Yao Yuling returns from a trip to Hacheng looking significantly different – she has a new perm, is wearing fashionable clothes and jewelry, and smells of jasmine.
Neighbors, including Mrs. Cai and Mrs. Wu, are astonished by her transformation and admire her new appearance. Yao Yuling distributes gifts she brought back, including animal-shaped pencils and mandarin duck soap dishes. Niu Dali, who was watching from his window, quickly comes over to greet her. He asks her about her trip and who she visited in Hacheng, to which she gives a vague answer about seeing a classmate.
She gives him a large chunk of Russian bread she brought back, which makes him very happy. Although not explicitly shown, it becomes clear that Yao Yuling's trip was connected to Jia Jinlong, with whom she has been corresponding, and their relationship has progressed. Ma Kui and Wang Xin are traveling by train from Ningyang to Hacheng. Ma Kui remains visibly displeased with Wang Xin. Little Wenzhou walks by, and Ma Kui recognizes him.
Ma Kui calls him over and learns that Little Wenzhou is doing well in Hacheng, running a small business. Little Wenzhou mentions that he told Wang Xin to have Ma Kui visit him if he came to Hacheng. Ma Kui comments on Little Wenzhou's apparent prosperity. Ma Kui then asks Little Wenzhou about the "female apprentice" Wang Xin mentioned. Little Wenzhou identifies her as "Sister Yan" (Ma Yan), praises her diligence, and states she will achieve great things.
Ma Kui accuses Little Wenzhou of ruining Ma Yan's stable career. Upon realizing that "Sister Yan" is Ma Kui's daughter, Little Wenzhou becomes extremely nervous and tries to leave, claiming he needs to use the toilet. Ma Kui stops him, demanding he fully explain his involvement with Ma Yan, including introducing her to a button factory. Ma Yan is determined to continue selling buttons and prepares to go out. Ma Kui confronts her with angry accusations.
Upset, Ma Yan goes to Shen Xiuping's house to talk. Wang Xin is also there. Ma Yan explains her father's unreasonable opposition. Wang Xin clarifies that Ma Kui's resistance to Ma Yan's business is tied to his disapproval of Wang Xin's poverty, and Ma Yan wants to earn money to prove herself and gain Ma Kui's acceptance of their relationship.
Shen Xiuping attempts to mediate, advising Ma Kui that times have changed and he should communicate with Ma Yan instead of being heavy-handed. She also highlights that if he dislikes Wang Xin being poor, he shouldn't prevent Ma Yan from earning money. Ma Kui dismisses Shen Xiuping's advice and tells her to mind her own business. Shen Xiuping, feeling offended, threatens to stop interfering. Ma Kui quickly apologizes for his temper.
Shen Xiuping softens slightly and reiterates her advice about communication and accepting Wang Xin, but Ma Kui remains stubborn regarding his view of Wang Xin. Later, Ma Yan moves out of the family home and continues selling buttons. Ma Kui finds her at her stall and urges her to come back home. Ma Yan refuses, and deliberately shouts her sales jingle loudly to provoke him.
Yao Yuling anxiously waits for a letter from Jia Jinlong, repeatedly checking at the post office but receiving no reply, which causes her distress. Wang Xin is also at the post office and tries to engage her in conversation about the letter. Separately, Ma Kui comes home late from work and goes to Shen Xiuping's house to pick up Ma Jian. Ma Jian, who had been waiting for him, is already asleep.
Ma Kui informs Shen Xiuping that he has to travel for work again the next day and asks if Ma Jian can stay with her while he is gone. Shen Xiuping readily agrees, dismissing the need for formality between them. Late one evening, Niu Dali invites Yao Yuling into his home to show her something. He proudly unveils a large console radio he assembled from second-hand parts, promising to work hard to be able to buy her new things someday.
He demonstrates the radio's functions, including playing music and recording. He suggests she record a message about the radio's benefits. She records a short statement about how the radio can provide entertainment like listening to music, dancing, and recording memories. He then plays disco music, and Yao Yuling becomes excited and dances energetically. Niu Dali is delighted and briefly joins in. However, the radio suddenly short circuits and starts smoking, dampening Yao Yuling's spirits.
A flustered Niu Dali apologizes profusely and vows to fix it, assuring her it won't happen again. He expresses his strong feelings for her, promising to provide for her needs and earn enough to buy her anything she wants. He then asks her to marry him, promising lifelong love and care. Yao Yuling says she needs to discuss it with her mother. Niu Dali insists he will talk to her mother and is confident of getting her approval.
He immediately suggests they go buy fabric for new clothes as a step towards marriage, and she agrees to go with him. The following morning, Niu Dali is taking Yao Yuling by bicycle to buy fabric. At the courtyard entrance, they encounter Jia Jinlong. Jia Jinlong greets Niu Dali and says he is looking for a friend he has been missing day and night.
Niu Dali, seemingly unaware of the true nature of Jia Jinlong's visit, tells him he is taking his future wife, Yao Yuling, shopping for clothes and invites him to their wedding. They then ride away. While riding, Yao Yuling suddenly claims to have a stomachache and asks Niu Dali to stop. He expresses concern and suggests going to the hospital, but she insists on going home for medicine, claiming it's not serious.
They return to her home, where Niu Dali fusses over her, offering her porridge. Yao Yuling, still feigning illness, tells him she can't eat yet and dismisses him, telling him to leave the bowl. Early the next morning, Yao Yuling goes to meet Jia Jinlong by the river. She confronts him, demanding to know why he didn't reply to her letters. Jia Jinlong attempts to explain, saying he came to Ningyang for the friend he misses dearly.
When she presses him to clarify who the friend is, he explicitly identifies her as "Yuling," and asks if she didn't understand his feelings for her during their time in Hacheng. Still seeking an explanation for the unanswered letters, she repeats her question. He suggests they talk more about it while having a meal.
