This Thriving Land Episode 33 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Ning Kejin returned home, looking disheveled after a harrowing journey. His father, Ning Xuexiang, was heartbroken to see him in such a state. Kejin explained that his troops had been caught in a Japanese raid, and he had been captured, managing to escape with a few brothers amidst the chaos, almost starving to death.
Fortunately, they encountered the Eighth Route Army, who rescued them and even provided money, allowing him to travel for nearly a month to reach home, mostly at night to avoid the Japanese and puppet troops. It had been years since Ning Kejin left home on Ning Keyu's one-month birthday, and his sisters, Ning Susu and Ning Xiuxiu, hadn't seen him either. Now reunited, Ning Susu eagerly asked about his wife, Lianye, and son, Chuan.
Kejin revealed that Chuan had joined the China Youth Corps and then the New Fourth Army in northern Jiangsu, actively fighting the Japanese on the front lines. Lianye had also moved to her uncle's place in northern Jiangsu, wanting to be closer to Chuan. Both Ning Keyu and Feng Jiaming were eager to join Kejin in fighting the Japanese, but Ning Xiuxiu sent them back to bed, cautioning them not to reveal Kejin's return to anyone.
Kejin was still fuming from the injustices he had witnessed, declaring his intention to join the Communist Party and continue fighting the Japanese once his wounds healed. Ning Xuexiang offered to take Kejin home so Yinzi could cook for him and help him recover, but Kejin, mindful of the difficult times, refused, not wanting to burden his aging father or expose his return. He preferred to stay with Ning Xiuxiu, where he felt safer and could consult with Feng Dajiao.
Ning Xuexiang, with a heavy heart, agreed, and on his way home, told Ning Keyu to ask his mother, Yinzi, to prepare a hen for chicken soup, emphasizing Kejin's need for good food and the importance of family. As Ning Xuexiang, Ning Susu, and Ning Keyu headed home, they encountered a drunken Niwei.
Niwei, the son who had run away, demanded that Ning Xuexiang return the land he claimed Ning Xuexiang had swindled from his father, stating he no longer wanted the seven mu taken from his grandfather, but insisted on the land taken from his father. Ning Xuexiang firmly stated that he had legitimately purchased the land from Feng Si, Niwei's father, with real money and possessed the land deed, which bore Feng Si's own fingerprint.
Ning Xuexiang then told him that his family's land had already been taken by the Japanese for their farm, but Niwei rejected this, claiming that was not his family's land and angrily accused Ning Xuexiang of tricking his father, demanding it back. Ning Susu tried to mediate, suggesting they find a neutral third party to discuss the matter, but Niwei, enraged, rejected the idea, accusing the Ning family of controlling the village.
Ning Keyu attempted to intimidate Niwei by mentioning Kejin's status as a Japanese fighter, but Niwei scoffed, claiming he wasn't afraid of Ning Kejin and that claiming his family's land was perfectly justified. As Niwei grew increasingly aggressive and lunged at Ning Xuexiang, Kuangzi arrived, pulling Ning Xuexiang, Ning Susu, and Ning Keyu back into their house. Niwei left, muttering threats. The next morning, Ning Susu brought chicken soup and red dates to Ning Xiuxiu's house for Kejin.
She warned Ning Xiuxiu about Niwei's hostile demeanor and suggested keeping Kejin hidden. Ning Xiuxiu reassured her, mentioning that she and Feng Dajiao planned to move Kejin to a side room for easier care. Meanwhile, Niwei, who had secretly followed Ning Susu, discovered Kejin's presence. Later, Niwei ambushed and kidnapped Ning Susu, intending to exchange her for his family's land deed from Ning Xuexiang. Humpback Guo, passing by, bravely intervened and rescued Ning Susu.
Enraged, Niwei brutally beat Humpback Guo, leaving him severely injured, and even used a large stone to break his leg before Ning Susu called for help, driving Niwei away. A doctor was called to treat Humpback Guo, whose injuries were severe enough to cause a pneumothorax, though the doctor managed to save him. The doctor noted Humpback Guo's leg needed a splint and would keep him bedridden for weeks.
Ning Susu insisted on staying to care for Humpback Guo, feeling responsible for his injuries. Later that night, Niwei snuck into Ning Xiuxiu's house, attempting to assassinate Ning Kejin to avenge his father, Feng Si. Ning Kejin fought back, and Ning Xiuxiu quickly intervened, shielding her brother. Niwei, furious, threatened to "finish both of them in one go," but Meiwei, Niwei's younger brother, suddenly arrived and forcibly dragged Niwei out of the house.
Ning Xiuxiu arranged for a doctor to treat Kejin's new injuries and stationed Kela and Feng Jiaming at the door to alert others with a gong if Niwei returned. Feng Dajiao and Tietou also returned home after an unsuccessful search for Niwei. Concerned about burdening his family and realizing his presence attracted danger, Kejin decided to leave to find his son, Chuan, and fight the Japanese with him.
Ning Xuexiang, Ning Susu, and Ning Keyu tearfully bid him farewell, with Ning Xuexiang urging him to take care of himself. Ning Xiuxiu also shed tears, lamenting the unknown future of their reunion. Ning Susu dedicated herself to caring for Humpback Guo. As he slowly recovered, he confessed his deep affection for her, promising to protect her for life and expressing his desire for her to be with him and make her happy.
Ning Susu, feeling a growing love for him, reciprocated his feelings, and they became intimate. Ning Xiuxiu visited Meiwei, bringing him food and encouraging him to resume his reading lessons, which warmed Meiwei's heart. Fei Zuoshi, devastated by Fei Wendian's death, cruelly sent Ning Susu back to her family home. She then spent her days in the Fei ancestral hall, praying for Fei Wendian's return, gradually descending into madness, constantly wandering out to look for him.
Ning Susu found Fei Zuoshi in her distressed state and gently persuaded her to return home. Moved, Ning Susu decided to stay with Fei Zuoshi. Humpback Guo, now fully recovered, brought firewood and millet, offering to help Ning Susu care for Fei Zuoshi.
That night, Humpback Guo visited Ning Susu at the Fei residence, proposing marriage and explaining his plan to go on another trading trip to earn enough money to formally propose to Ning Xuexiang and give Ning Susu a grand wedding. Despite Ning Susu's worries about his safety in the war-torn region, Humpback Guo was determined. She tearfully sent him off, urging him to return quickly.
Soon after, Ning Susu began experiencing nausea and vomiting, leading her to suspect she was pregnant. She bravely confided in Ning Xiuxiu, who, upon learning of Ning Susu's sincere love for Humpback Guo, was overjoyed and advised her to eat well and care for herself while awaiting Humpback Guo's return. Meanwhile, Feng Dajiao began teaching Ning Keyu, Kela, and Feng Jiaming how to farm. Ning Keyu, having been pampered since childhood, disliked farm work.
Ning Xiuxiu, however, impressed upon him the importance of learning to cultivate the land, emphasizing that this skill would enable him to support himself and his parents, especially in uncertain times. Reluctantly, Ning Keyu agreed to learn diligently. Later, Japanese soldiers arrived to inspect the crops. When they discovered that some wheat seedlings, still filling out, had been pulled up, Captain Morita declared it an insult to their "holy war" and ordered a thorough search of the entire village.
Administrator Liu and Ning Xuerui assured them that no farmer would intentionally damage their own lifeline, suggesting animals might be responsible, but Morita rejected the idea, insisting it was human sabotage. During the search, they found Silly Tiao holding a bundle of pulled wheat seedlings. The Japanese immediately stabbed Silly Tiao to death. Tietou's mother rushed forward to intervene but was kicked to the ground by a Japanese soldier. Feng Dajiao, Ning Xiuxiu, and others quickly arrived, only to find Silly Tiao had already passed away, prompting cries of anguish and condemnation for the "Japanese devils."
