Tears In Heaven Episode 24 Recap
> Tears In Heaven Recap
After a heated confrontation, Lin Xiangyuan and Shangguan Boyao nearly came to blows in a bar. Zou Siqi quickly intervened, pulling He Qunfei away. She urged He Qunfei not to self-destruct by working as a waiter, directly asking if Lin Xiangyuan was torturing him, to which He Qunfei admitted yes. Despite this, he insisted it was his own business and told her to leave him alone. Zou Siqi then questioned if he hated her, suggesting his behavior was intentional.
He Qunfei denied hating her, asserting that she deserved a better life. He described himself as a loser and a failure, concluding that their separation was the right choice. Meanwhile, Du Maokai was preoccupied after his encounter with Shao Kaixuan. Ruohua complained to him about Du Xiaosu’s late return and how she was acting as a "babysitter" for someone else, but Du Maokai was distracted.
When Du Xiaosu eventually arrived home late, Ruohua scolded her, demanding she close her studio and return to their hometown. She criticized Du Xiaosu for caring for a "prisoner's family," deeming it shameful and fearing gossip if they were in their hometown. Du Maokai tried to mediate, suggesting they discuss it later. Du Xiaosu, frustrated, retreated to her room, leaving Ruohua angry at Du Maokai for his lack of support.
Du Xiaosu later spoke with her father, noting her mother's continued anger. While Du Maokai acknowledged Du Xiaosu’s good intentions, he also advised her that helping should not be indefinite. Du Xiaosu then cautiously asked her father about his past relationship with Shao Kaixuan, revealing she knew Shao Kaixuan was Zhenrong's mother and that they were once in love. She urged him to clarify any misunderstandings with Shao Kaixuan to avoid future regrets.
Afterwards, Du Xiaosu tried to appease her mother by recounting how Lei Yuzheng had helped her, from sending her to the hospital when she fainted at a construction site to saving the house she shared with Zhenrong. She portrayed Lei Yuzheng as a good person who had been set up, and his father, Lei Ting, was deeply affected.
Ruohua, recognizing Du Xiaosu’s affection for Lei Yuzheng, grew concerned, reminding her that her youth was precious and questioning why she would choose such a difficult path after being hurt once before. Ultimately, Ruohua expressed her desire for Du Xiaosu's happiness above all else. Lin Xiangyuan, eager to fulfill his mother's wish, had Xie Li book two plane tickets for him and Jiang Fanlv to his hometown for the Lunar New Year.
He shared his excitement with Xie Li, stating that he had worked hard for years for this moment. Upon Jiang Jin's return from abroad, Lin Xiangyuan sought his approval to take Jiang Fanlv home for the holiday. Jiang Jin agreed, emphasizing that it was important for his mother to finally meet her daughter-in-law, especially since their wedding had been simple.
However, Jiang Fanlv vehemently refused, claiming his hometown had poor transportation and that her pregnancy made long travel, even by modern means, impossible. She insisted she was not going there for hardship and suggested Lin Xiangyuan either go alone or have his mother come to Shanghai instead. Lin Xiangyuan explained the local customs, stressing that a new daughter-in-law must visit the husband's family for the first Lunar New Year, otherwise his mother would be ridiculed.
Jiang Fanlv dismissed his concerns, prioritizing her child's safety and her own delicate condition, citing doctor's orders for quiet rest and stable emotions. Jiang Jin, siding with his daughter, suggested Lin Xiangyuan's parents visit Shanghai. In the end, Jiang Jin conceded to Jiang Fanlv's refusal but instructed her to buy gifts for her mother-in-law and call to extend her greetings and explanations on New Year's Eve.
Jiang Jin also offered Lin Xiangyuan some nourishing tonics he had brought back from abroad to take to his mother. Du Maokai and Shao Kaixuan met, and he finally explained why he had broken their promise years ago. He apologized for his past actions, but Shao Kaixuan initially reacted with anger, wishing they had never met. Du Maokai then recounted how, on his way to meet her, he was involved in a tractor accident where Ruohua was injured.
He took Ruohua to the hospital, intending to leave after ensuring her safety, but the doctor insisted he stay until she woke up. He learned Ruohua was an orphan and, after she temporarily lost her sight due to the accident, he felt obligated to care for her until she recovered, which took until the following spring. He confessed that he tried to contact Shao Kaixuan but failed, believing she blamed him and wished to end their relationship.
He ultimately gave up and married Ruohua, with whom he had Du Xiaosu. Shao Kaixuan expressed regret, stating she would not have blamed him if she had known the true reason. Du Maokai concluded by saying that after so many years, with both of them middle-aged, they should let go of the past.
As Lunar New Year approached, He Qunfei confided in Du Xiaosu that he couldn't go home because he had broken up with his girlfriend and lost his job, leaving him no courage to face his family. Du Xiaosu, whose parents were already in Shanghai, suggested they all celebrate the New Year's Eve dinner together at Lei Ting’s house, specifically inviting Shao Kaixuan.
On New Year's Eve, Du Xiaosu’s parents, Du Maokai and Ruohua, arrived at Lei Ting’s house early with many delicious dishes. Ruohua, now in a more relaxed mood, engaged in playful banter with Du Maokai, jokingly attributing their daughter’s kindness to his influence. He Qunfei also expressed gratitude to Du Xiaosu for organizing the gathering, noting that the house hadn’t been so lively in a long time.
They helped Lei Ting paste festive decorations and enjoyed the lively atmosphere, though He Qunfei gently reminded another guest, Uncle Duan, not to mention Lei Yuzheng’s absence and upset Lei Ting. Du Xiaosu then went to check on her parents' cooking. Shao Kaixuan arrived shortly after, completing the gathering. Ruohua, surprised, asked Du Xiaosu if this was the mysterious friend she mentioned, and Du Xiaosu confirmed it.
Shao Kaixuan wished Lei Ting a Happy New Year and expressed hope for Lei Yuzheng’s swift return. Then, she turned to Du Xiaosu and sincerely apologized for her past misunderstandings. Du Xiaosu gracefully accepted, stating that Shao Kaixuan was like a mother to her. The group then raised their glasses, toasting to a happy and prosperous new year.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiangyuan, wrestling with the guilt and pressure of not taking Jiang Fanlv home for the new year, found himself alone by the riverside, watching fireworks. He called his mother, fabricating an excuse about an urgent company matter requiring him to go abroad, making it impossible for him to return home for the holiday, and mentioned Jiang Fanlv was not in good health. His mother, however, refused to believe him and adamantly insisted he bring Jiang Fanlv back.
Unable to convince her, Lin Xiangyuan abruptly ended the call. Later, Lin Xiangyuan went to a quiet restaurant to drink alone. The owner, a woman from Guizhou, politely urged him to finish so she could close and go home to her husband. Recognizing their shared hometown, Lin Xiangyuan asked if he could stay a little longer, explaining he had nowhere to go.
He poured out his heart to her, confessing that despite achieving material success, owning a house in Shanghai, and marrying a Shanghai woman, he felt empty. He lamented his wife's refusal to have a wedding ceremony in his hometown or to visit his mother for the New Year, contrasting his own perceived poverty of spirit with the owner's simple happiness of having someone waiting for her.
He recounted his lifelong struggle against poverty, his relentless pursuit of academic and professional success, and the emotional scars of being looked down upon, concluding that he had worked so hard only to feel like he had nothing left. The owner offered words of comfort, suggesting that life cannot be perfect. Lin Xiangyuan thanked her for listening and, after leaving a generous payment, wished her a Happy New Year before departing.
Back at Lei Ting's residence, Lei Yuzheng called his father from abroad to wish him a Happy New Year. Lei Ting, deeply moved, was happy to hear his son's voice. He then passed the phone to Du Xiaosu, who joyfully informed Lei Yuzheng that his parents, Aunt Shao, and He Qunfei were all gathered for dinner, sharing stories of a fun evening and reassuring him that everyone was doing well.
He Qunfei and Shao Kaixuan also briefly spoke to Lei Yuzheng, all wishing him a Happy New Year before he hung up. Separately, Jiang Jin and Jiang Fanlv were having their New Year's Eve dinner. Jiang Jin called Lin Xiangyuan, who lied again, claiming he had just gotten off a plane in his hometown. Jiang Jin passed the phone to Jiang Fanlv, who noticed the quiet background but accepted Lin Xiangyuan's excuse that everyone was home for the holidays. She instructed him to convey her greetings to his mother.
