Romance on the Farm Episode 20 Recap
> Romance on the Farm Recap
Lian Hua'er returned home late, where her husband, Song Hailong, confronted her, having learned everything from Wang, who was involved in the restaurant incident. Lian Hua'er pleaded for forgiveness, admitting she wanted to "take them down a peg" but insisted all her actions were for Song Hailong's benefit. She voiced frustration over his predicament in the Song family, believing she was helping him make a name for himself against Lian Man'er, who was stealing their business.
Song Hailong, however, was disappointed, pointing out that she still didn't see her wrongdoing and that her actions had jeopardized their standing in the Song Mansion, asserting that she must pay a price for her mistakes. Song Hailong then sought out Lian Man'er, who was still dealing with the aftermath of the poisoning at her restaurant. He apologized on behalf of Lian Hua'er, stating that his wife had acted solely to help him gain status within the Song family.
Lian Man'er retorted that Lian Hua'er had not only framed her but also disregarded human lives. Song Hailong interjected, noting that no one had died thanks to Youheng's intervention, which emboldened him to seek forgiveness. Lian Man'er questioned whether Hua'er truly regretted her actions or was merely hiding after committing a crime, cautioning Song Hailong against repeatedly indulging her. He promised this would be the first and last time, vowing to prevent Lian Hua'er from causing any more trouble.
Knowing Lian Man'er and Shen Nuo's kind nature, he appealed to their compassion, suggesting that handing Wang, the person who committed the poisoning, over to the authorities would lead to Hua'er's imprisonment. He offered to take full responsibility, compensate the poisoned customers, and ensure Lian Man'er's restaurant reopened. Lian Man'er, skeptical of his influence given his limited power in the Song family, questioned how he could fulfill this promise.
Song Hailong admitted his own lack of power but asserted that someone else could. Song Hailong then visited his elder brother, Song Haikun, seeking his assistance. Song Haikun was annoyed by his presence and initially suggested divorcing Lian Hua'er and sending both her and Wang to the government to dissociate the Song family from the scandal. Song Hailong firmly refused, stating he would not abandon his wife.
When Song Haikun reminded him of his dependence on the Song family, Song Hailong defied him, asserting that he had never asked for a favor before and insisted Song Haikun must help, regardless of his willingness. Song Hailong then revealed his long-held feelings of uselessness within the Song family despite their provision, stating his only purpose was to remain alive for their father.
He threatened to expose Song Haikun's illicit dealings concerning the Jinyang Guild, Wu Zhonglian, and the smuggling of official and private salt if Song Haikun did not help reopen Lian Man'er's restaurant. Despite admitting his own weakness, Song Hailong declared he was not foolish. Impressed by his brother's unexpected cunning, Song Haikun implicitly agreed to help.
Song Hailong returned to Lian Hua'er, assuring her he had resolved the matter and that her acknowledgment of her mistake was enough, affirming their inseparable bond as husband and wife. Lian Man'er's restaurant, "One Fresh Move," reopened to great success, with customers continuously flocking in, overwhelming the staff and quickly depleting their stock of ingredients. Meanwhile, Wu Zhonglian received a report detailing how the Fourth Madam of the Song family, Lian Hua'er, had orchestrated the framing of Lian Man'er's restaurant.
He learned that the Song family eventually used their connections to stop the government's investigation into "One Fresh Move" and even closed their own establishment, Chunhuai Pavilion. Wu Zhonglian's subordinate expressed surprise at Shen Nuo's strategic move, which not only resolved the crisis but also forced their rival to shut down their business.
Upon learning of Shen Nuo's background – a nephew of a Lian family from Shisanli Camp who came to the area after a flood, started the successful "Champion Red Brandy" business with his cousin Lian Man'er, and then opened the restaurant – Wu Zhonglian decided to allow Shen Nuo entry into the Jinyang Guild, despite his subordinate's implied hesitation. Shen Nuo was subsequently introduced as a new member of Jinyang Guild.
At the guild's gathering, Song Haikun was visibly ostracized due to losing the guild's registration book, which had also cost him his lucrative position as a dispatcher. During the meeting, Wu Zhonglian proposed a game of business riddles. Shen Nuo consistently answered the riddles correctly, impressing Wu Zhonglian and the other merchants. Later, during a tea ceremony, Wu Zhonglian highlighted Boss Cao's apparent luck. Boss Cao remarked that his birds at home had been singing, as if anticipating the tea.
Shen Nuo keenly observed this interaction, inferring that Boss Cao had likely been chosen as the new dispatcher. Shen Nuo then resolved to get closer to Boss Cao to further their investigation. Shen Nuo later encountered Boss Cao and, noting Boss Cao's love for birds, presented him with a rare Gray Pearl parrot.
Shen Nuo explained he had a friend in Bianjing who traded rare birds and had gifted him this priceless parrot as a congratulatory gesture for joining the Jinyang Guild. Shen Nuo then generously gifted this rare parrot to Boss Cao. Delighted, Boss Cao invited Shen Nuo and Thirteen to a future golf game with other prominent businessmen, where they could discuss business, and also offered to have tea with them immediately.
Concurrently, Wu Zhonglian's subordinate, Liu Fugui, encountered Lian Xiu'er consulting a fortune teller. He overheard Xiu'er's desire for a life of nobility. Liu Fugui subtly intervened, flattering Xiu'er about her noble appearance and attempting to invite her for tea. Lian Xiu'er, asserting her brother's position as a government bookkeeping official, declined and departed.
Liu Fugui subsequently summoned Lian Shouren, Lian Xiu'er's brother, and threatened to have his bookkeeping official position revoked unless he married his sister, Lian Xiu'er, into the Liu Mansion. Despite Lian Shouren's protests about his sister being an unrefined village girl, Liu Fugui insisted on Xiu'er, praising her cleverness and sensibility. Liu Fugui made it unequivocally clear that Lian Shouren had no choice but to comply, stating that his position would be secure only if they became in-laws.
Lian Shouren returned home and informed his family of the proposed marriage to the Liu family's "son" in town, which the grandparents quickly approved. However, he concealed Liu Fugui's true intentions and status. Upon hearing about her aunt Lian Xiu'er's impending marriage to the Liu family, Lian Man'er immediately suspected something was amiss. She confided in Thirteen, who confirmed that Liu Fugui, despite having many wives and concubines, had no sons.
Realizing that Liu Fugui had fabricated a son, Lian Man'er resolved to warn her grandparents about the deception. Lian Man'er also discussed their ongoing investigation with Thirteen. Thirteen confirmed they were monitoring Boss Cao, believing him to be the new dispatcher for Jinyang Guild, and had already befriended him. Their next step was to get closer to him to uncover evidence of illegal salt smuggling.
Their investigation advanced when Shen Nuo and Thirteen attempted to meet Boss Cao for their planned golf game. However, they found him rushing out with an empty carriage, claiming urgent business and declining their company. Shen Nuo observed this, speculating that if Boss Cao was indeed the dispatcher, that day might be his scheduled day for receiving and delivering goods.
