This Thriving Land Episode 32 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
After Beard Liu and Qing were conscripted, other workers from the Fei family also departed, leaving only Ning Susu and Fei Zuoshi at home. Ning Susu, who had been pampered since childhood and never done heavy labor, took on tasks like chopping firewood, cooking, and washing clothes, enduring until her hands were covered in blisters. Fei Zuoshi was concerned, noting that Ning Susu’s hands were not meant for such work.
Ning Susu explained there was no other choice since their workers were gone. Ning Susu and Fei Zuoshi lived frugally, saving the good rice for Fei Wendian, and eating the mixed grain flour provided by the Japanese. Ning Susu explicitly suggested this, and Fei Zuoshi agreed. Guo Guiyao arrived at the Fei household with two bundles of firewood, remarking that they would have no firewood if he hadn't come.
Fei Zuoshi offered to pay him, but Guo Guiyao refused, stating it was no trouble and that he had made money from them as good customers in the past. He added that with only two women left in the family, they shouldn't be polite and should ask him if they needed anything. Fei Zuoshi offered him some freshly steamed sweet potato slices, which Guo Guiyao accepted, saying he wouldn't need to cook that night.
He also gave Ning Susu a bottle of ointment for her blistered hands, telling her not to get them wet. Ning Susu, surprised, commented that she hadn't realized he was so kind-hearted. Guo Guiyao responded that she had been judging him too narrowly and that he had always been good-hearted. Ning Susu then promised to be his good customer again when the Japanese leave. A child reported seeing two unfamiliar people on the mountain road.
Feng Dajiao went to investigate with Tietou and soon identified them as Chang Chun and Xiao Jia. Chang Chun explained that he had joined the Eighth Route Army to fight the Japanese and that his pharmacy in the county would serve as a contact point, often staffed by Xiao Jia. Feng Dajiao then asked why Fei Wendian hadn't returned with them. Xiao Jia, with a somber expression, delivered the news of Fei Wendian's death to Fei Zuoshi.
He detailed how Fei Wendian had led his squad, successfully fought against the Japanese and puppet forces in a counter-sweep, but was injured during the retreat. On the way to a rear hospital, his medical team was hit by an enemy airstrike, and all wounded and medics were killed. Xiao Jia found only Fei Wendian's backpack, a notebook, a pen, and a letter. Fei Zuoshi found Fei Wendian's final letter.
In it, Fei Wendian addressed his "Dear Sister-in-law, Susu," explaining that he was writing from the mountains, fighting the Japanese, and felt no fear despite living with death daily because his faith told him he was doing the right thing. He expressed deep respect for his sister-in-law, acknowledging her mother-like role in raising him, and felt guilty for his lack of filial piety and companionship.
He shared his hope to take her out of the Fei family and Ox Temple Village after the war to see a better world, calling this his greatest act of filial devotion. He then revealed that the family lands and large house she had guarded were never what he truly wanted, and they had become her burden.
He expressed hope that she would no longer be weighed down by these material possessions and would gladly join him in donating them to those in greater need after victory. He concluded by entrusting the family to her care. Overwhelmed with grief, Fei Zuoshi was inconsolable. Guo Guiyao's old donkey, Skinny, fell ill and died. He lamented to the deceased animal, recalling their journey together and the unused medicine.
Despite others urging him to butcher the donkey for meat, Guo Guiyao couldn't bear it, saying he'd rather starve than eat his only companion. He lovingly buried it, questioning who would bury him in the future. After Fei Wendian's death, both Fei Zuoshi and Ning Susu were plunged into deep sorrow. Fei Zuoshi sat despondent in the ancestral hall, lamenting her regrets.
In a state of delirium, she imagined Fei Wendian's return, agonizing over her decision to send him to school to bring glory to the family, believing it ultimately led to his death. She cried out for him to return, regretting her choices. Meanwhile, Ning Susu stood by the river, weeping silently. Guo Guiyao found her and kindly gave her a ride home in his small cart.
However, Fei Zuoshi, overcome with grief and anger, blamed Ning Susu for Fei Wendian's death and for the loss of a child she had previously miscarried, which she believed contributed to Fei Wendian's departure. Fei Zuoshi harshly told Ning Susu that the Fei family no longer wanted her and forced her back to her maiden home.
Later, Feng Dajiao reflected on Chang Chun's visit, recalling how Chang Chun assigned him and Tietou the task of gathering trustworthy men in the village to cooperate with the armed team in fighting the Japanese, eliminating traitors and puppet forces, and avenging Fei Wendian. After being sent back to her maiden home, Ning Susu fell ill from excessive grief. Ning Xuexiang and Yinzi were deeply worried, with Yinzi meticulously caring for her.
When Ning Susu regained consciousness, she told Yinzi that Fei Wendian had died and Fei Zuoshi had driven her out, expressing her burning fever. Yinzi encouraged her to drink water. As Ning Susu slowly recovered, she apologized for being a burden, but Yinzi reassured her, saying she was happy to have company and didn't need a servant.
Ning Susu then offered to help with chores once she was fully recovered, but Yinzi insisted she rest and visit Ning Xiuxiu if she felt bored. Ning Susu resolved to be happy and not let her family worry, recognizing that she was home now and had to move past her difficult times. Ning Xiuxiu was teaching the village children to read and write, using a blackboard made with "smelly ink." Suddenly, Feng Niwei, Meiwei's older brother, returned to the village.
Meiwei was overjoyed to see him safe and cried tears of happiness. Niwei, observing Feng Dajiao and Ning Xiuxiu drinking mixed grain flour, produced roasted chicken from Desheng Restaurant and pastries, offering them to the elders. Ning Susu then arrived to chat with Ning Xiuxiu. After exchanging greetings and declining Niwei's offer of chicken, Niwei casually brought up his mother's death, claiming it was due to their family's past as bandits and that she had been murdered.
Ning Susu then explained how Ning Xiuxiu had interceded for his family and taken Meiwei in. Niwei, however, was adamant, insisting his mother had been murdered. Feng Dajiao's mother intervened, explaining that during the great famine, Niwei's mother had consumed all the rations saved for her and Meiwei in one meal, then lay starving until she died. Ning Susu defended Meiwei, reminding Niwei that Meiwei was just a child then and survived by himself.
Meiwei then eagerly told Niwei that Ning Xiuxiu had given him a new, proper name, Feng Zicheng, and suggested Feng Ziming for Niwei. Niwei vehemently rejected this, stating he would keep the name his parents gave him. Ning Susu further chastised Niwei for being ungrateful, highlighting Ning Xiuxiu and Feng Dajiao's extensive care for Meiwei.
Niwei retorted that it was "only natural" for a brother to care for his younger sibling and that it was not Ning Susu's place to comment. Ning Susu continued to argue, reminding him of their past kindness. Feng Dajiao tried to calm the situation, telling Ning Susu to stop. Ning Xiuxiu then pulled Ning Susu away to talk in her room.
Niwei, in a huff, declared that now that he was back, caring for Meiwei was his responsibility, and others didn't need to worry. Niwei began renovating his old family home, with Tietou, Zhuzi, and Feng Dajiao all lending a hand. Niwei profusely thanked everyone, promising to repay their kindness. He claimed his leg was injured and useless, preventing him from working on the roof.
He then recounted his experience fighting with the North China People's Anti-Japanese Army, stating he was hit by a shell, believed he would die, and was the sole survivor of his platoon, "crawling out from among the dead." He vowed to return to fight once he recovered. To express his gratitude to the helpers, Niwei sent Meiwei to the county to buy roasted chicken.
Meiwei returned later, retrieving his and Niwei's bedding, announcing they were moving out that day as Niwei felt they had "troubled" Ning Xiuxiu and Feng Dajiao enough. Ning Xiuxiu assured Meiwei that he was always welcome back. Meiwei bowed deeply to Ning Xiuxiu and Feng Dajiao's mother, thanking them for raising him and promising to visit often, before leaving with Niwei. After they left, Ning Xiuxiu and Feng Dajiao's mother expressed their unease about Niwei.
His mother observed that he was "off," with shifty eyes like his Uncle Si, concluding he "can't be tamed." Ning Xiuxiu told Feng Dajiao she felt Niwei was strange, as he was enthusiastic about fighting but vague on details, and didn't allow questions about his escape.
Feng Dajiao dismissed her concerns, suggesting he was just injured and homesick, but Ning Xiuxiu pressed, questioning why he would be allowed to leave the army if only injured and whether he could be a deserter or even a bandit. Feng Dajiao countered that with the Japanese around, there were only soldiers or traitors, and if he were a traitor, he wouldn't return. He reminded Ning Xiuxiu that they were Niwei's family and should help him.
Ning Xiuxiu, however, remained suspicious, finding his story about fighting in Hebei unconvincing. Ning Kejin, having narrowly escaped death, returned to the village, covered in wounds. Ning Xiuxiu, seeing him, greeted him with warmth and concern, expressing her relief at seeing him alive. Ning Kejin wanted to see his father, Ning Xuexiang, so Feng Dajiao quickly went to fetch him. Ning Xuexiang arrived with Ning Susu and Ning Keyu.
Ning Kejin was moved to see his father's hair had turned white, while Ning Xuexiang's heart ached at the sight of his son's battered state. Ning Kejin downplayed his injuries as minor, though Ning Xuexiang pressed him about where he had been. Ning Susu expressed how much she had missed him and asked if he had been fighting the Japanese all this time. Ning Xuexiang then introduced Keyu as Ning Kejin's younger brother.
