This Thriving Land Episode 34 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
When Tietou and Kela returned from collecting firewood, they found Silly Tiao, Kela's mother, had been killed by Japanese soldiers. Tietou was overcome with grief, crying out for Silly Tiao and desperately wanting to find a doctor, though it was too late. He then vowed to avenge her, declaring he would kill the Japanese responsible. Feng Dajiao, however, restrained him, explaining that such an act would only invite retaliation against the entire village, potentially leading to a massacre.
He assured Tietou that as long as they lived, they would find a way to avenge Silly Tiao's death. Feng Dajiao, though filled with his own hatred for the Japanese and a desire to join the Eighth Route Army, knew it wasn't the right time to send Tietou to his death. He also expressed concern for Fei Zuoshi's unstable mental state and advised Ning Susu to keep their doors locked.
Soon after, good news spread from the front lines: the Anti-Japanese Base Areas, under the leadership of the Communist Party, were successfully severing Japanese supply lines, cutting off their railways, and engaging in effective guerrilla warfare, inflicting heavy losses on the Japanese. Two months passed, and there was still no word from Humpback Guo. Feng Dajiao had sent people to inquire, but to no avail.
Ning Susu, though worried, held onto hope, telling Ning Xiuxiu that Humpback Guo was "a tough guy" who would persevere. Ning Xiuxiu expressed her concern, noting that Humpback Guo was said to be hauling artillery for the Kuomintang. Ning Susu then revealed her secret: she was pregnant with Humpback Guo's child and could no longer hide her "ugly belly," having previously bound it and now finding even big coats insufficient.
She admitted she was keeping the pregnancy from Fei Zuoshi, fearing her reaction. Ning Xiuxiu immediately offered her support, promising to prepare a side room at her home and care for Ning Susu until Humpback Guo returned. To Ning Susu's immense relief, Humpback Guo suddenly appeared. She embraced him tearfully, having feared he was dead.
Humpback Guo recounted his harrowing experience, explaining he had been captured by the Kuomintang and forced to haul artillery, enduring constant shelling and the gruesome sight of men losing limbs. He survived by hiding in a trench among dead bodies for an entire day until it was safe to move. He vowed never to leave her side again, even in death.
Overjoyed upon discovering her pregnancy, Humpback Guo, despite returning penniless, declared his intention to formally propose to Ning Xuexiang the very next day. Ning Susu, unwavering in her love, agreed to marry him regardless of his financial situation and insisted on accompanying him to her father. Feng Dajiao and Ning Xiuxiu, along with Feng Jiaming and Feng Jiaying, happily began preparing a new house for the couple.
Ning Jiaying, still a child, asked if the baby would be named Fei or Guo, then wondered if she could take the surname Ning, which Ning Xiuxiu jokingly left for Feng Dajiao to decide. Humpback Guo, accompanied by Ning Susu, approached Ning Xuexiang for his daughter's hand in marriage. Ning Xuexiang, who had long hoped for the marriage, initially welcomed them but then deliberately adopted a disapproving stance.
He chided Humpback Guo for his lack of wealth and questioned his ability to provide for Ning Susu, mocking his "leather shoes" and declaring he would rather care for his daughter and grandchild himself. Ning Susu, angered by her father's coldness, threatened to elope with Humpback Guo and ensure he would never see his grandchild.
Humpback Guo, in turn, humbly admitted his lack of farming skills but passionately vowed to learn from Feng Dajiao and dedicated himself to ensuring Ning Susu and their child would never go hungry. He then challenged Ning Xuexiang to write down all the betrothal gifts he demanded, promising to provide them within three years, emphasizing his word as a man. Ning Xuexiang, finally relenting, wrote eight characters: "The foundation of a family, only farming is stable."
Humpback Guo understood this as his approval and was overjoyed. Meanwhile, Feng Dajiao took the other children, including Feng Jiaming and Kela, to Turtle Hill to teach them how to plant sorghum. Ning Keyu, however, wanted to stay home and read. Ning Xiuxiu found him reading and, after a stern lecture about the importance of practical skills, confiscated his book and hit him, asserting that she needed to correct his "crooked branch."
Feng Dajiao intervened, but Ning Xiuxiu insisted that Keyu, unlike Jiaming who had Feng Dajiao, was spoiled by his father and Yinzi and needed discipline. She instructed Keyu to ask his parents if her actions were right. Feng Dajiao admired her "carrot-and-stick approach." Back at the Fei Residence, Ning Susu, having removed her belly binding, inadvertently revealed her pregnancy to Fei Zuoshi.
Fei Zuoshi was horrified, vehemently asserting that Ning Susu was Fei Wendian's wife and that the child was an "illegitimate" disgrace to the Fei family's honor, which she had protected her entire life. Ning Susu countered, reminding her that Fei Wendian himself had wished for her to find happiness and a life of her own, and criticized Fei Zuoshi for clinging to "stupid rules."
Disturbed by Fei Zuoshi's reaction, Ning Susu decided to leave, but Fei Zuoshi blocked her exit, demanding she go to the ancestral hall to "kowtow and apologize." Ning Susu, feigning agreement, bought herself some time by asking to be left alone to compose herself, while secretly packing her belongings. Fei Zuoshi, consumed by grief and despair over her family's perceived dishonor, smashed the ancestral tablets, muttering that the baby "cannot be kept."
When Ning Susu attempted to leave, Fei Zuoshi again blocked her, accusing her of bringing shame. During the struggle, Ning Susu fell, experiencing severe bleeding, and realized she was in labor. She desperately pleaded for a midwife, her sister, and Humpback Guo, while Fei Zuoshi, still insisting the child "cannot be kept," eventually called for a midwife. A midwife was quickly summoned, and after a labor, Ning Susu safely delivered a healthy baby girl.
Humpback Guo arrived shortly thereafter, having gone to buy brown sugar, and was overcome with emotion upon seeing his newborn daughter. He cradled her tenderly, exclaiming with joy that he was a father. Ning Xiuxiu also arrived, noticing Fei Zuoshi's fierce eyes and clenched fists, suggesting deep anger. Despite the joyous occasion, Fei Zuoshi remained rigid, denying that the baby was Fei Wendian's and still seemed consumed by her perceived dishonor.
Sensing Fei Zuoshi's chilling gaze and palpable anger, Ning Xiuxiu became deeply concerned for Ning Susu and the baby's safety. She immediately urged Humpback Guo to hitch their carriage and prepare to leave. Despite Ning Susu's worries about moving in the cold after childbirth and a brewing thunderstorm, Ning Xiuxiu insisted, citing her unease with Fei Zuoshi. As a torrential downpour began, Fei Zuoshi, consumed by despair, continued to vandalize the ancestral hall, believing her family's legacy was "destroyed."
Ning Susu, wanting to bid farewell to Fei Zuoshi, entrusted her newborn daughter to Ning Xiuxiu, who quickly took the baby to the carriage to shield her from the rain. Fei Zuoshi then, in a surprisingly calm tone, invited Ning Susu and Humpback Guo for a farewell meal, announcing her intention to move in with her brother and nephew after they left.
Believing it was a genuine gesture of peace, Humpback Guo convinced Ning Susu, who was initially hesitant to linger, that refusing would be impolite, especially given the heavy rain outside. Fei Zuoshi personally prepared a meal of several dishes, including a large pot of red date porridge, specifically for Ning Susu's recovery. Humpback Guo complimented the porridge, saying it was his favorite. Fei Zuoshi, with an eerie composure, wished them "a better and better life" before they began to eat.
As Ning Susu and Humpback Guo ate, Ning Xiuxiu, still feeling uneasy, told her mother that she couldn't shake her worries and had to return to the Fei Residence, leaving her baby in her mother's care. At the Fei Residence, Fei Zuoshi watched as Ning Susu and Humpback Guo succumbed to the poisoned food she had prepared. She then calmly drank a bowl of the same poisoned red date porridge herself.
Ning Xiuxiu arrived to a horrific scene, finding Ning Susu and Humpback Guo dead. Devastated and unable to move Ning Susu's body, she cried out desperately for help. Overcome with grief, Ning Xiuxiu became withdrawn, refusing to eat or sleep, and found solace only in holding Ning Susu's orphaned daughter. Her mother-in-law, concerned for the baby's well-being, took the child to seek breast milk from other nursing mothers in the village.
Feng Dajiao tried to console Ning Xiuxiu, reminding her that "your sister is gone" and that "Susu won't come back to life." He urged her to focus on "those who are still around us," emphasizing the need to keep the tragic details of their deaths a secret from Ning Xuexiang for as long as possible. Seeing her profound distress, he implored her to express her emotions, offering himself as an outlet for her anger.
To ensure the baby's nourishment, Feng Dajiao managed to acquire a lactating sheep, despite the high price and the difficult circumstances under Japanese occupation, bringing it back to Ning Xiuxiu with the hope that it would provide milk for the child.
